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Maybe in a masochistic way you can find it all exciting, that the Dodgers have taken a step forward, with three games to go.
The Dodgers picked up where they left off, hitting five more home runs to complete a third consecutive Padres sweep with an 8-3 victory Thursday at Dodger Stadium. But the Dodgers will enter two more NHL Western games on Friday, as the Giants swept the Diamondbacks, including a 5-4 victory on Thursday.
“We’re ready to go on and try to win as many games as possible,” said manager Dave Roberts.
Ahead of the game, Roberts was asked if comebacks like Wednesday’s six home run and 11-9 triumph were declared wins.
“They are if you take advantage of it, and they are not if you don’t,” he said.
The Dodgers immediately took advantage, with back-to-back home runs from Mookie Betts and Corey Seager to start the game. In the fourth inning, Justin Turner and AJ Pollock also faced each other.
Corey Seager added a brace in the third and then another solo shot in the seventh, ending his excellent September hitting .366 / .455 / .699 with eight homers and 19 RBIs.
“He’s a lot like the Corey Seager bubble we saw last year in the playoffs,” said Justin Turner.
Pollock’s home run was his 20th of the season, giving the Dodgers six players with 20 home runs in the year, which they also did in 2017. The club’s record for players with 20 home runs in a year is of seven, drawn in 2018. Seager is the second closest with 15, and suddenly five homers in three games don’t seem so overwhelming.
All five homers were solo hits, but the Dodgers still found time to tack. They rallied in the sixth round with four singles and a sacrifice fly, creating some distance for their 103rd win of the season.
“Tonight was a clinic,” Roberts said. “It’s aggressive towards our zone, looking to hit it when an opportunity to beat the quarterback like Justin starting an inning, and Will Smith with a two-stroke the other way, Will’s first through third, Justin taking second base on a pitch. There was a fly bag from AJ. We really ticked all the boxes.
“A really fun baseball game to watch.”
In addition to the 11-point explosion on Wednesday, it was the first time the Dodgers have scored more than five points in consecutive games since July 31 and August 1.
“It’s been a while since we’ve clicked,” Betts said. “It’s good to know we can do it. “
Tony Gonsolin made his last start of the season and was serviceable, striking out five catches on 4⅔ holds. He could have escaped with just one run allowed, but Fernando Tatis Jr. had other ideas, join a pantheon of legends by hitting a ball. more flag in left field for a two-point shot.
Statcast says the home run went 467 feet, but it looked more like 467 meters. He’s just the fifth player to hit a home run outside of Dodger Stadium, joining a who’s who of hitters – Willie Stargell (twice), Mike Piazza, Mark McGwire and Giancarlo Stanton.
The 42nd home run of the season for Tatis was also his seventh at Dodger Stadium, tying Todd Helton (2001) for most home runs by a visiting player in a year at Chavez Ravine.
Thursday details
Home runs: Mookie Betts (23), Corey Seager 2 (15), Justin Turner (26), AJ Pollock (20); Ha-seong Kim (8), Fernando Tatis Jr. (42)
WP – Corey Knebel (4-0): 1⅓ IP, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
LP – Vince Velasquez (3-9): 4⅔ IP, 6 hits, 4 points, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts
Following
The Dodgers still have a home series against the NL Central champions Brewers. Clayton Kershaw begins Friday night (7:10 p.m.; SportsNet LA, MLB Network). Milwaukee versus with southpaw Eric Lauer, who is 6-0 with a 1.89 ERA in eight career starts against Los Angeles.
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