Dodgers Score: Michael Grove Dominant, Peralta Walks it Off Over the Cubs
The Dodgers pulled off a miracle in the 9th inning coming to life and walking it off over the Cubs after 8 painful innings for the offense. At one point, the LA bats went 6 innings without a base hit but that all changed in the 9th when James Outman, Miguel Vargas, and the pinch hitting David Peralta combined to give the Dodgers their first walk off win of the season.
Pitching was also lights out as rookie starter Michael Grove dominated and the bullpen walked a tightrope to keep runs off the board and give the bats time to wake up.
In honor of Jackie Robinson Day, it was a throwback low scoring affair for the Dodgers and Cubbies and an exciting one for fans at Dodger Stadium!
Here are some of the highlights!
In the first inning, on the first pitch of the game, Jason Heyward made a nice play to hit right to open things, robbing Nico Hoerner of extra bases.
An inning later, Heyward nearly hit his 4th home run of the season but old friend Cody Bellinger brought it back… and got booed by his old fans.
Then in the 9th inning, James Outman got a one out single and Miguel Vargas followed with a double to put runners at second and third. After Jason Heyward struck out, the pinch hitting David Peralta stroked the first pitch he saw for a two run walk off single.
Dodger Pitching
Michael Grove put together his best start as a big leaguer, pitching into the 6th inning for the first time in his career while allowing just 1 earned run, a Patrick Wisdom home run in the 5th inning. He struck out six and walked 2 in the no decision.
The Dodger bullpen kept the game in reach for the first time in what felt like ages for fans. Alex Vesia worked around a walk and a hit for a clean inning of relief. Yency Almonte got a big strikeout of another old friend, Edwin Rios, on this nasty sweeper slider to get Vesia off the hook in the 7th.
Things got real dicey in the top of the 8th inning when Almonte loaded the bases on a hit and two walks. Caleb Ferguson entered the messy situation with one out and promptly struck out the two batters he faced to escape the threat in a huge way.
Shelby Miller pitched around a walk and a stolen base to toss a clean 9th inning and earn the win.
Up Next
The Dodgers try to take the series with Julio Urias on the mound on Sunday against veteran left-hander Drew Smily. First pitch is set for 1:10 PM PT.
