Saturday, February 15, 2025

This Week in Dodger Baseball

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DLD Recap: Dodgers End Angels’ Postseason Dreams In Home Run Affair

Photo Credit: Los Angeles Dodgers 

POST-GAME BRIEFING

In a wild run-scoring affair, the Dodgers blasted multiple home runs and the bullpen was able to keep the Angels’ bats quiet to hold on for the 9-to-5 win. This is the final series and tune-up for players before the postseason, and while it ultimately didn’t matter to the Dodgers them if they won or lost, it mattered to the Angels. With the victory, the Dodgers mathematically eliminate their cross-town rivals from playoff-contention.

A combined eight home runs were hit by both teams, and five of those were launched by the fellas wearing blue.  Justin Turner hit two home runs, Will Smith and Edwin Ríos each parked two-run shots and AJ Pollock hit a solo blast.

It just wasn’t a sharp night for Clayton Kershaw who only went four innings, gave up four runs, eight hits and struck out three. Incredibly, the home run he surrendered to Mike Trout in the third inning  was the first the Angels’ outfielder had ever hit off Kershaw in 21-previous career plate appearances. Luckily for Kershaw, he didn’t factor in the decision as his offense and bullpen bailed him out. Despite Brusdar Graterol giving up a solo homer to Jared Walsh in the fifth inning, the group of Jake McGee, Adam Kolarek, Dylan Floro, Victor Gonzalez, and Kenley Jansen were able to shut the Angels down the rest of the way to secure the win.

SCORING PLAYS

  • BOT 1st: Mookie Betts steals home (1-0)
  • TOP 3rd: Mike Trout three-run home run (1-3)
  • BOT 3rd: Justin Turner solo home run (2-3)
  • TOP 4th: Justin Upton solo home run (2-4)
  • BOT 4th: AJ Pollock solo home run (3-4)
  • TOP 5th: Jared Walsh solo home run (3-5)
  • BOT 5th: Justin Turner solo home run (4-5)
  • BOT 5th: Will Smith two-run home run (6-5)
  • BOT 7th: Joc Pederson RBI single (7-5)
  • BOT 8th: Edwin Rios two-run home run (9-5)

DLD PLAY OF THE GAME

The DLD Play of the Game goes to Will Smith who put the Dodgers ahead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth. The Angels didn’t score after that, so it was Smith who basically ended the Angels’ season.

DLD PLAYER OF THE GAME

The DLD Player of the Game goes to Justin Turner for his outstanding performance at the plate, homering twice in this game. Safe to say he’s ready for the postseason.

UP NEXT

Saturday will be game two of this three-game set between The Dodgers and Angels. With nothing left to play for except personal stats and pride, expect Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to use these last two games to figure out what his bench is made of and potentially rest his key players.

The Dodgers will send “The Cat Man,” Tony Gonsolin, to the mound for his final start of the regular season. He pitched efficiently in his previous outing despite getting the loss against the Rockies, going five innings, giving up two runs and striking out 10.

The Angels will counter with their ace, Dylan Bundy, who has been a pleasant surprise for them this season as one of their most consistent starters. Game time is at 6:10 PT.

Jacob Cisneros is a writer for Dodgers-LowDown. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram @_JacobCisneros. 

 

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