Multiple Dodgers Reflect on ‘Battle’ Against Diamondbacks on Friday Night
Clayton Kershaw opened the four-game series at Chase Field for the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday night. In a rotation that was already short Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the veteran left-hander exited the game in the second frame after giving up a solo home run to Corbin Caroll.
A bone spur on his big left toe caused Kershaw to make his untimely departure. What followed was a high-strung matchup that eventually reached an unforgettable denouement.
The Dodgers turned to their bullpen to finish the remaining eight innings of the game. Although there were some ugly moments, the bullpen delivered.
“We battled,” reliever Alex Vesia told Jack Harris of The Los Angeles Times. “That’s all you can do.”
The bullpen put together five shutout innings from relievers who weren’t even supposed to be available. The relievers displayed they were capable of holding on for the Friday night win, despite running on empty.
History was also made Friday night.
Shohei Ohtani became the first player to hit 43 home runs and steal 43 bases in MLB history. The Dodgers superstar leads the National League in home runs and ranks second in RBIs with 96. Ohtani also ranks in the top five with his .294 batting average. He is well within reach to be the first player in MLB history with a 50-50 season.
Ohtani’s feat was greatly overshadowed by everything else that transpired Friday night. The Dodgers’ bats made a collective effort to secure a lead in light of the bleak pitching situation.
Will Smith has struggled as of late, but his three-run homer helped Los Angeles extend the lead over the Diamondbacks to 9-5 in the seventh inning. Freddie Freeman also homered in his first at-bat with the Dodgers, after missing a few days because of a fractured finger.
“It’s one of the biggest wins just considering the circumstances of how the game unfolded,” third baseman Max Muncy said.
The response from the Los Angeles offense was exactly what the club will need to play deep into the postseason.
After the 10-9 win over Arizona, the Dodgers have an 81-54 record and a five-game lead in the National League West. The rivalry series continues on Saturday night as rookie Gavin Stone takes the mound for the Dodgers. Los Angeles fans can only hope the second game of the series is less of a nail-biter.
Photo Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
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