Dodgers Highlights: L.A. Breaks Through Late to Down DBacks
The Dodgers were held scoreless for six innings by rookie Ryne Nelson, but the Dodgers broke through against the next Nelson, Kyle, who left the game after loading the bases with no outs and watched all three runners score.
Los Angeles tacked on three more runs in the ninth on a Mookie Betts homer, and the Dodgers won the series opener in Arizona, 6-0, to clinch a postseason spot (again) and lower their magic number in the NL West to one.
Tyler Anderson threw seven shutout innings for the Dodgers to earn the win, lowering his ERA to 2.62.
Dodgers break through in the seventh
Max Muncy led off the top of the seventh inning with a booming double off the wall in center field. Justin Turner followed with a comebacker to reliever Kyle Nelson, who made the poor choice to try to throw behind Muncy at second and ended up getting no outs on the play. A Chris Taylor walk loaded the bases and ended the night for the second Nelson.
Kevin Ginkel came in to face Trayce Thompson, who hit a sacrifice fly to center field to break the scoreless tie. Cody Bellinger followed with a double to right-center to score Turner and Taylor, and the Dodgers had all the lead they needed.
A three-spot in the seventh! pic.twitter.com/B8FIp57BIU
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 13, 2022
Mookie adds to his career high
The 3-0 lead was all they needed, but it wasn’t all they wanted. In the ninth inning, JT led off with a single and moved to second two outs later on Bellinger’s second hit of the night. Betts followed with his 34th homer of the year to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 6-0 and give Craig Kimbrel the night off.
A career-high 34 homers for Mookie! pic.twitter.com/wottbYLlFw
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 13, 2022
Mookie shines on defense, too
Betts got the start at second base, partly to give him a semi-day-off and partly to get Thompson in the lineup. He made a spectacular play to rob Alek Thomas of an infield single in the bottom of the third inning.
Mookie can play anywhere. pic.twitter.com/jo3QC2zKsK
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 13, 2022
If Gavin Lux comes back healthy, Betts probably won’t be needed much at second base in the postseason. But it’s good to know they have options.
Up next
The Dodgers can clinch the NL West with a win on Tuesday or a Padres loss. Both teams start at 6:40 pm PT, the Dodgers in Phoenix and the Padres in Seattle.