Editorials

Game 3 Recap: Adrian Gonzalez Makes MLB History In Dodgers Win

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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McCarthy put an end to the threat by getting Alexi Amarista to ground out. After the Dodgers went down quietly in the bottom of the fourth, McCarthy gave up singles to Norris and Kemp in the top of the fifth inning but kept the Padres off the board and the Dodgers continued to lead, 5-2.



Gonzalez added to his big night with a third solo home run in the bottom of the fifth, which drew quite the reaction from Clayton Kershaw. With the home run, Gonzalez became the first player in MLB history to hit five home runs in the first three games of a season.

Middlebrooks led off the sixth inning with a solo home run to pull the Padres within three runs. Back-to-back doubles tacked on another run and McCarthy’s night came to a rough end after he collected nine strikeouts through five innings. Paco Rodriguez entered the game and struck out Clint Barmes, who was the only batter he faced. Pedro Baez then took over and quickly ended the inning.

Nick Vincent replaced Cashner in the bottom of the sixth and promptly gave up a leadoff double to Pederson. Justin Turner pinch-hit and singled to put runners on the corners with no outs. After a Rollins strikeout, Puig hit into a fielder’s choice that resulted in Pederson getting caught between third base and home for the second out.

Left-hander Frank Garces was called on to face Gonzalez and while he didn’t allow another home run, the Dodger first baseman extended the lead to 7-4 with an RBI single to right-center field. Pedro Baez retired the side in order in the seventh and J.P. Howell only allowed a one-out single in the eighth as the Dodgers continued to lead by three runs.

Rollins hit a two-out triple in the eighth off Shawn Kelley, who’s the same pitcher he hit the winning home run against on Monday. Puig had the opportunity to extend the inning for Gonzalez but his hard-hit line drive was caught by Myers in center field.

After two consecutive days of calling on Chris Hatcher to pitch the ninth inning, Mattingly tasked Joel Peralta with closing the game out. Myers lined a one-out single to left, but Peralta then got Norris to fly out to deep center and struck out Kemp to earn a save in the Dodgers’ 7-4 win in the rubber match of the series.

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Yasmani Grandal Defends Dodgers Bullpen


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3 Comments

  1. Good game even though I couldn’t watch it (Direct TV). Happy A Gon is doing so well to start (my favorite player). Anyone know if you can listen to Vinnie via internet during games? Would greatly appreciate it if you know. Still boycotting until there is a TV resolution.

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