Dodgers Recap: Snell Dominates Phillies as Dodgers Avoid Sweep

LOS ANGELES, CA—The Los Angeles Dodgers entered this crucial three-game series versus the Philadelphia Phillies riding high from their first back-to-back series wins since the beginning of July.

Entering Monday’s game just 4.5 games back of the number two seed in the National League, with a series win or sweep, they’d close the gap considerably during the final two weeks of the regular season, trying to earn a coveted first-round bye.

The opposite would happen, and in heartbreaking fashion.

The Dodgers (thanks to their bullpen) would drop the first two games of the series, closing out all hope for the No. 2 seed in the NL, and setting them on an all but certain path to the Wild Card round; however, on Wednesday, the team looked to avoid the sweep at the hands of the Phils.

After a 1-2-3 first inning by both sides, the Dodgers would get the scoring started thanks to a no-doubt solo home run off the bat of All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, giving the Dodgers an early 1-0 lead.

The Dodgers would tack on another run a few batters later with a clutch two-out RBI single by backup catcher and new fan-favorite Ben Rotvedt, giving the Dodgers what seemed like a commanding two-run lead due to how left Blake Snell looked on the mound.

However, tonight was the night where we saw the Dodgers do the little things to manufacture runs, which is precisely what Andy Pages did after a two-out walk in the bottom of the fourth inning off Phillies Southpaw Jesús Luzardo.

Pages would steal second base using his speed, keeping this in mind as Luzardo attempted to throw back to second base on a potential pickoff, which would sail to center field, allowing Pages to reach third base safely.

The boom, a few pitches later, and clutch veteran utilityman Kiké Hernández would push the Dodgers’ lead to three runs.

On the pitching side for Los Angeles, the Dodgers experienced what could be one of the best starts of Blake Snell’s time with the team, as he shut down the Phillies’ offense for seven innings without allowing a run.

With the bullpen remaining a massive question mark, Snell took matters into his own hands, going deep into this one, allowing just two base runners in the third inning on back-to-back two-out singles by Bryson Stott and Harrison Bader and a two-out walk in the seventh inning.

While Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made the walkout to the mound twice, Snell pleaded his case and was able to remain in the game, where he would collect his season-high twelve strikeouts of the night, ending the Phillies’ threat.

Now, the Dodgers’ bullpen needed to secure six crucial outs to salvage the series with a win. Lefty Alex Vesia, seeking redemption, delivered by tossing a 1-2-3 inning before passing it to Tanner Scott for the save.

But before that, the Dodgers would add some much-needed insurance and ask, and you shall receive as Ohtani smashed his 51st home run of the season, giving the Dodgers a four-run lead.

A few hits and a sac-fly later, and the Dodgers would lead 5-0, a decent lead for the Dodgers’ bullpen.

Scott, looking for work, would still get the ninth inning, and despite a walk to Bryce Harper, a bloop single to Nick Castellanos, he was able to close out the game and secure the Dodgers’ win.

With the win, the Dodgers’ Magic Number to clinch another National League West title shrinks to just eight with the San Diego Padres winning earlier tonight against the New York Mets.

Now the team will close out the regular season at Chavez Ravine with a. four-game weekend series versus the San Francisco Giants before heading out on one last road trip in Arizona and Seattle next week.

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