Dodgers Reclaim First Place All Alone With Win In San Diego Series Finale

The Dodgers took the field on Thursday night in San Diego with something extra special to play for.

With a win tonight, the Dodgers would have sole possession of 1st place for the first time in 2018.

---

---

— Joe Davis (@Joe_Davis) July 12, 2018

A win is exactly what they delivered. Ross Stripling, Andrew Toles, and Chris Taylor played a role in making July 12th the day that the Dodgers took control of the division for the first time. The game resulted in a 3-2 final. Los Angeles is 51-42 and now hold a half game lead in the division over Arizona.

Ross Stripling’s All-Star Game Tune Up

Ross Stripling was a late addition to the All-Star team, and tonight would be his last outing before the break. In this case, Stripling didn’t have his dominant stuff. Still, Stripling on an average day is better than most at their best. He matched a surprisingly good Tyson Ross for six scoreless innings. Stripling scattered six hits, one walk and struck out five in lowering his ERA to 2.08 on the year. He improves to 8-2 in the season of his emergence. Does this feel like 2017 Alex Wood to anyone yet?

Things Get Wild In The Seventh

The Dodgers had just one hit through the first six innings off Padres starter Tyson Ross. In the top of the seventh inning, Chris Taylor doubled down the left field line. Andrew Toles followed that with the clutch single that got everything going.

Coming through. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/hOeHoUpsYC

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 13, 2018

Thereafter, the Dodgers played add-on with Matt Kemp and Joc Pederson run-scoring singles to lead 3-0. It should be noted that Taylor not only started the scoring rally, but kept the game scoreless earlier in the game. The Dodgers’ leader in WAR (Wins Above Replacement) dove to keep a ball on the infield that would have allowed the Padres to take a 1-0 lead. Instead, Stripling left the bases loaded by striking out Tyson Ross.

The Dylan Floro Show

The eighth inning, particularly the bottom frame of it; was all Dylan Floro. Recently acquired from the Cincinnati Reds – Floro has retired all ten hitters he’s faced while wearing Dodger blue. He struck out Jose Pirela, Freddie Galvis, and Raffy Lopez in succession. It was beyond an impressive inning for Floro, who will continue to see high-leverage spots if he can continue to dominate like he has in his short Dodger tenure.

Enjoy this:

Dylan Floro's sinker is… nasty. My goodness. pic.twitter.com/y4PEUaoqWn

— Daniel Brim (@DanielBrim) July 13, 2018

He set the stage nicely for Kenley Jansen’s 26th save of the 2018 campaign.

A Weekend In Los Angeles Before The Break

The Dodgers get to return to the friendly confines of Chavez Ravine for the weekend, and will host the Anaheim Angels. It will be nice to get one more look at the beautiful blue walls and yellow seats before the curtain falls on the first half. Walker Buehler makes his return to the starting rotation on Friday night. Clayton Kershaw highlights the weekend by taking the ball on Saturday. It’s hard to believe we are a series away from the first half being in the books. With the Dodgers back in first place, we’re all in for a wild ride in the second half.