Editorials

Recap: Price Too Much For Dodgers’ Bats

Following an 8-4 game one loss in Boston, the Dodgers look to bounce back in game two. Ryu took the ball for the Dodgers in a pivotal, and you might even say, a must-win for the Dodgers. Ryu faced off against fellow southpaw David Price. Both starters were dominant for the most part, but Ryu’s night came to and end before Price’s. David Price was dominant and the Boston offense showed up.

Similar to game one, the first run crossed the plate early in this one. Both Ryu and Price tossed a scoreless first inning. After a perfect second inning from Price, the Red Sox struck first in the home half of the second inning. After a Xander Bogaerts double off the top of the green monster, Ian Kinsler smokes a double down the left field to drive in Bogaerts.

A scoreless third inning led to an action-packed top of the fourth inning for the Dodgers. The leadoff man David Freese singled which was then followed by a first-pitch single up the middle from Machado. Chris Taylor forces six pitches from Price and draws a walk to load the bases.

Matt Kemp steps in and promptly flies deep to centerfield, scoring David Freese from third base. Kiké’s drought continues at the plate as he strikes out on nine pitches with runners on first and second with one out. With the lead just a base hit away, Yasiel Puig does what Yasiel Puig does best. The first pitch from Price off the bat of Puig bleeds over Kinsler’s glove and gives the Dodgers a 2-1 edge in the fourth inning.

Just as the Red Sox have done all year, they continue to dominate with their bats with two outs. The piece together a two-out rally that loads the bases. Ryu’s night comes to a close after 4 2/3 innings. Madson toes the rubber in a high leverage situation. Bases loaded and two outs with Pearce stepping to the plate. Madson can’t find his control, similar to last night, and walks Pearce on 5 pitches.

Now with the game tied, J.D. Martinez steps in and knocks a single to right field to break the tie. Two come in to score and Boston has regained the lead for the first time since the second inning. 4-2 Boston advantage heading into the 6th inning.

Both the 7th and 8th inning are scoreless innings from both sides. Pedro Baez continues his dominance with his flawless 1-2-3 9th inning appearance. With the score stuck at 4-2 the Dodgers look to make a comeback in their final at-bats.

Kimbrel makes his way out to shut the door in the 9th. Machado, Taylor, and Kemp go down in order and the Red Sox take a 2-0 lead in the 2018 World Series.

Pitching

Ryu’s outing was very similar to Kershaw’s last night in game one. In just 4.2 innings of work, Ryu leaves the game after walking Benintendi to load the bases with two down in the 5th. And just like last night, Ryan Madson is called upon to get out of a big jam. Madson walks Pearce that ties the game and J.D. Martinez steps in gives Boston a 4-2 lead.

The Dodgers bullpen hurled three scoreless innings in the 6th, 7th, and 8 innings. Urías tossed a scoreless 6th, Maeda allowed a hit in 2/3 innings which led to Alexander finishing off the 7th inning. Our beloved Pedro Baez flowed right through the Red Sox in an easy 1-2-3 inning.

What’s Next?

The Dodgers will have a travel day on Thursday as they head back to the west coast. The beautiful sunshine and clear skies will be waiting for them when they get home. Game 3 will be Friday night at 8:09 PM ET in Los Angeles. The pitching held it’s own for the most part, but just a few missed spots that led to the dangerous Boston lineup taking advantage.

The offense had its ups and downs. A few strong innings that unfortunately only led to a total of two runs in the low scoring pitching duel. Whether it be Eovaldi or Porcello for game 3, the Dodgers bats must wake up and get some momentum going.

World Series Power Hour with Rick | Episode 27 | Blue Heaven Podcast

Tyler Hawk

Currently living in Central California. Life-long Dodgers and Chargers fan.

4 Comments

  1. Roberts up to same old, keeps bringing in the same people who can’t get the job done. Still not playing his best players every day.

    1. I could not agree with ya more, Ralph! The Dodger’s stupid mentality of not allowing guys like Bellinger, Pederson, Muncy to at least have gotten a few more ‘looks’ at LHP is IMHO a real problem. Yesterday, because of a LHP the Dodgers had 85 HR’s in regular season sitting on the bench and I wonder what happens once this FAILED philosophy costs them yet another WS, which thus means that of the 20 WS appearances in franchise history, Dodgers will be 6 and 14 over all.

  2. Both of you guys are correct. Whether it’s Roberts making these stupid moves or management pulling the strings of a puppet manager, it’s killing us fans who remember when the game was played differently and better – specifically fewer bullpen losers incapable of going a full inning and a regular lineup of the best 8 position players you have. I have suffered through 12 WS losses, including this year (it’s over), and enjoyed only 6 championships since 1955.

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