Dodgers Team News

Dodgers: Bats Come Alive to End Losing Streak

It’s over Dodgers fans. It’s finally over. After one of the more frustrating weeks in recent memory, the Dodgers defeated the Marlins 7-0. The win snapped a six-game losing streak that featured a four-game sweep via the Reds, and two to the Marlins, both of whom are the worst teams in the NL.

The Hitting

During this losing skid, the Dodgers’ inability to hit with runners in scoring position was their achilles heel. For today, at least, the Dodgers were able to overcome it. It started in the third inning, where Yasiel Puig, Chris Taylor, and Austin Barnes all reached via the walk. Bases loaded, and one out. A narrative we have seen far too often this season. The difference, though. Justin Turner was coming up to the plate. On an 0-1 pitch, Turner drilled one to left, clearing the bases and giving LA a 3-0 lead. Matt Kemp then followed with a double of his own, plating Turner, and pushing the lead to four.



The hitting continued in the fourth as Yasiel Puig hit a solo-shot, giving the Dodgers a five-run cushion. For Puig, this is his third home run in the last four games.

The boys in blue didn’t stop there. A Chris Taylor single and Austin Barnes walk would put two on for Turner. Just like the inning before, Turner delivered. He doubled to left field once again, plating both runners, and giving the Dodgers a 7-0 lead. For Turner, his five RBI tied a career-high.

The Pitching

Lost in the excitement of the Dodgers finding their bats, was how truly dominant Kenta Maeda was today. In the scheme of things, it was one of his best starts as a Dodger, if not, his best. Maeda threw eight innings of shutout ball, striking out eight. He allowed only two hits and retired his final 17 batters. More notably, he also didn’t issue a single walk. What a performance for Kenta.

Analysis

It almost seems strange, talking about a Dodgers victory. It’s been a week since they won their last game. It’s the most runs they’ve scored in a game since April 28. For the Dodgers, they currently sit eight games out of first. Though it’s not where any of us would like to be, it’s very encouraging that it isn’t more. This was arguably the best game of the season for the team, and hopefully, they can build off of this and begin to put together more wins. They’ll head to Washington D.C. to take on an under-achieving Nationals team. If the Dodgers can put forth anything of what we saw today, good things are coming for the boys in blue.

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Blake Harris

Blake is currently studying sports journalism at Arizona State University. He covers both the basketball and baseball teams, while hosting a weekly baseball show on the school's radio program. In his spare time, he edits highlight videos for collegiate and professional athletes. He currently has over 125,000 subscribers and 70 million views on Youtube. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he passionately roots for the Dodgers, Clippers, and Saints.

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