Photo Credit: Norm Hall/Getty Images
Post-Game Briefing
On Tuesday night, the Dodgers went head-to-head with the Los Angeles Angels in what was their final exhibition game before the team’s quickly approaching Opening Night match-up with the San Francisco Giants. Over the nine frames played between the two clubs, the Dodgers and Angels combined for five home runs, and despite trading blows, the Dodgers ended the night in victory formation after a Kenley Jansen save sealed a 6-4 win for the Dodgers.
Earlier in the day, the Dodgers announced their signing of recently released Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jake McGee. It was reported by Los Angeles Times writer Jorge Castillo that McGee had driven to Los Angeles from Denver in order to make his debut for the club, staying overnight in Utah. However, despite McGee’s heroic trip to join the team prior to the season opener, his performance on the mound was less than impressive, and understandably so. McGee surrendered a pair of home runs before recording an out in his seventh-inning appearance.
Josiah Gray made the start for the Dodgers on Tuesday, working his way through a convincing three and two-thirds innings versus a very strong Angels lineup. Most notably, Gray held Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Albert Pujols to just one walk between the trio, recording a pair of strikeouts in the process.
Scoring Plays
- TOP 2ND: La Stella solo home run (1-0 LAA)
- BOT 2ND: Hernandez RBI double (2-1 LAD)
- BOT 3RD: Taylor three-run home run (5-1 LAD)
- TOP 4TH: Pujols RBI groundout (5-2 LAD)
- TOP 7TH: Pujols solo home run (5-3 LAD)
- TOP 7TH: Goodwin solo home run (5-4 LAD)
- BOT 8TH: McKinstry solo home run (6-4 LAD)
DLD Play of the Game
In the bottom of the third, Chris Taylor gave a 92.1 MPH fastball a ride into the seats in left-center field with runners on the corners. The home run would be his second in as many games and would turn out to be the deciding factor on Tuesday evening.
Another day, another CT3 souvenir. pic.twitter.com/zw5SWylcAS
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 22, 2020
DLD Player of the Game
Leading the team’s offensive efforts, Chris Taylor finished the night 1 for 3 at the plate with a home run, a walk, and three RBI. Taylor is on a tear at the moment, and Tuesday’s performance was just another example of what kind of player Taylor can be at his peak. With Gavin Lux being optioned prior to the start of this game, Chris Taylor may have locked in a spot as the Dodgers’ Opening Day starting second baseman.
Up Next
With the conclusion of Tuesday’s exhibition match-up, Summer Camp is a thing of the past for Los Angeles. The Dodgers have an off-day on Wednesday before Thursday’s Opening Night series opener versus the San Francisco Giants. Clayton Kershaw will be tasked with yet another season-opening start, facing off with Giants’ starter Johnny Cueto. First-pitch is scheduled for 7:08 PM PDT and will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN.
Arrick Joel has covered the Dodgers since 2017. Follow him on Twitter at @ArrickJoel and follow @DodgersLowDown for more.