Dodgers Highlights: LA Downs Marlins in Extras to Win Series
Throughout his career, Craig Kimbrel has been the guy teams call on when they need a save. On Monday night, it was Kimbrel himself who needed a save as the Dodgers beat the Marlins, 3-2, in 10 innings.
Kimbrel, who has struggled most of the season, pitched a dominant ninth inning to preserve a tie and earn the victory when the Dodgers scored the go-ahead run on an RBI fielder’s choice by Freddie Freeman. Manager Dave Roberts brought Kimbrel back out for the 10th inning, and his command struggled a bit, walking two batters and departing with the bases loaded and one out.
Chris Martin came in and struck out Garrett Cooper before inducing a game-ending popup from Jacob Stallings. It was the Dodgers’ second extra-inning win of the series and their fourth overall this season.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 30, 2022
The hit race goes on
Freeman and Trea Turner had two hits each, putting Freddie at 163 and Trea at 161 for the season. Turner’s infield single in the 10th set up the winning run, and Freeman’s single in the third set up Will Smith’s homer for the first two runs.
A two-hit separating is actually a lot for Turner and Freeman, who have spent much of the month within one hit of each other.
1,000 career hits. Congratulations, @treavturner! pic.twitter.com/Esg2Avja44
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 30, 2022
Taylor’s defense continues to struggle
Chris Taylor has played more infield lately, but the defense has not been as good as we’ve come to expect from him. Taylor made his third “error” of the series, although none of them have (so far) been called errors.
Taylor dropped a throw from Justin Turner earlier in the series, but the official scorer inexplicably called the error on JT. Then on Saturday, what should have been an inning-ending groundout turned into an infield single when Taylor failed to catch the ball. And tonight, with runners on first and second and nobody out in the bottom of the tenth, a double play grounder by Brian Anderson turned into just one out when Taylor’s throw to Freeman was high. There’s no error charged on the play because they got one out, but it should have been a double play.
To be fair to Taylor, he hadn’t played infield at all this season until the last week or two. Hopefully as he gets more used to it, the defense will take a step forward.
Grove has a solid outing
Rookie Michael Grove made the spot start when All-Star Tony Gonsolin was placed on the IL before the game with forearm tightness. Grove went 4.2 innings and allowed just two runs, keeping the Dodgers in the game and giving them a chance to win.
It’s probably as much as you can hope for from a guy in his second career start.
Up next
The Dodgers start a three game series with the Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday. Dodgers lefty Andrew Heaney will face off against big righty Taijuan Walker of the Mets.
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Kimbrel isn’t the answer for the Closer, they have better options.
Yes they do. Just about everyone else in the bullpen.
Grove pitched better than his final line indicates. The defense let him down. Taylor is a mess not only on the infield but more so at the plate. His SO rate is unacceptable. Trayce should be getting more starts and playing time. Kimbrel should not have been asked to go back out in the 10th inning. Not sure what Doc was thinking there. Martin was an absolute beast. Nice to get a win in a game when they didn’t have their A lineup playing.
I thought the definition of closer was the guy brought in to preserve the status quo and it ahead to ensure victory. Many proven arms on the verge of activation which means heads need to roll. My guess is all agree number one to go is Bickford. If we put aside names and salaries, based on performance to date in 2022 (ERA, blown saves, number of base rummers allowed, number of inherited base runners allowed to score, number of batters who reached base and allowed to score, number of times the closer needed to be saved, and the number of losses) then Kimbrel should be next. But that won’t happen, unfortunately. On the plus side as noted is two players can be added on Thursday. That gives a month to determine who among the relievers should make the playoff roster. Kimbrel draws fan angst anytime he comes in with less than a three run lead to protect