Jeff Birney
Rich Hill left one hanging over the plate and A’s outfielder Khris Davis took advantage, yet other than the lone two-run shot that got the A’s only runs, Dodger’s pitching was stellar Tuesday night.
Hill went 5 1/3 innings after taking a one-hitter into the sixth.
“I could have been a little more efficient,” said Hill. “I should have went deeper in the game but it didn’t work out that way.”
The bullpen came through in a big way after Hill left the game, allowing only one hit, no runs and striking out six. Kenley Jansen shut the door on the A’s in a quick bottom ninth, striking out the first two as Stephen Piscotty ground out for the final out.
The Dodgers won, 4-2.
The Dodgers played effective small ball as the first runs of the game were had via a groundout RBI from Enrique Hernandez in the first and a well-executed squeeze-play bunt to score Yasiel Puig in the second from Austin Barnes.
Cody Bellinger drove in Justin Turner in the third and Matt Kemp continued to hack away at his slump, driving in Joc Pederson on a bloop single to short right in the seventh.
The Dodgers sit alone in first again as the Diamondback went down to the Phillies Tuesday.
The Dodgers face the A’s for one more in the two-game series. Game time tonight is 7:05 pm, PST.
