Recap: Dodgers Execute In Oakland House of Horrors For First Win Since 2001
The last time the Dodgers won a game in the Oakland Coliseum, I was failing repeatedly at passing my drivers license test. Due to this, Tuesday night’s 4-2 victory was no small feat. Coupled with the fact that the Athletics entered the game with a powerhouse record of 67-46, it was a huge win for Los Angeles.
#Dodgers play 2 games in Oakland where they haven't won a regular season game since 2001 (0-8). Last series in Oakland was a pair of games in August 2015.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) August 7, 2018
The Arizona Diamondbacks lost to the Philadelphia Phillies. Once again, the Dodgers are alone in first place.
Los Angeles won this game with a combination of a solid start, timely hitting, bullpen tenacity, and a little bit of small ball. This isn’t a game that had huge moments or style points within it; but the Dodgers’ 63rd win of the year was the result of solid baseball in all facets.
The Offense
The Dodgers built a 3-0 lead by scoring a run in each of the first three innings. Dave Roberts pulled out a surprise with a safety squeeze in the second inning. It was refreshing to see the Dodgers put pressure on the opposition with this type of play in an American league ballpark.
Small ball is the way today. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/Fg8CrDGlGf
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 8, 2018
Los Angeles traded in their power swings for timely hits. In the third inning, Cody Bellinger hit a line drive single to center that scored Justin Turner. Bellinger was on base all night long, and aside from the big hit; he ran the bases with aggressiveness. Day by day, it seems like Bellinger is maturing and becoming confident in his own game. Fans took notice of Bellinger stringing together one solid at-bat after another.
?? #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/iy6gRBoqpu
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 8, 2018
Still, Oakland wasn’t going to go away quietly. Khris Davis hit his 32nd home run of the season off Rich Hill in the bottom of the sixth to make the score a nervous 3-2.
Then, Matt Kemp stepped to the plate and broke his 1 for 37 slump with an RBI single that would lead us to our final score of 4-2.
The Pitching
Hill appeared parts dominant and effectively wild for the first five innings. He allowed just a single hit to go with four walks when Oakland drew their damage in the sixth inning.
Dylan Floro’s stock is rising. Floro entered the game in a high-leverage spot after the Davis homer and struck out Mark Canha. He was removed for Scott Alexander, who gave way to J.T. Chargois. Altogether, they got the ball to Kenley Jansen in a scoreless manner. Jansen appeared in his most dominant form all year picking up his 32nd save of the season. He struck out the first two hitters and got a pop fly for the 1-2-3 save on nine pitches.
Looking Ahead
The Dodgers look to take the sweep of the short two game series tomorrow when Clayton Kershaw opposes Brett Anderson. Get used to the feeling of the team jockeying for position in regards to the division lead. The Dodgers have a run of opponents in playoff contention (with Colorado on-deck) while Arizona plays slightly subpar competition. This season is heading for a climactic conclusion for someone – and I think that someone is all of us.
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