Photo Credit: Los Angeles Dodgers on Twitter (@Dodgers)
Post-Game Briefing
Following a series victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Dodgers traveled to San Diego for a three-game set against the San Diego Padres. Walker Buehler was handed the ball on Monday to make his second start of the season, a start in which manager Dave Roberts spoke on a restriction of five innings or 75 pitches. On the mound for the Padres in opposition of Buehler and the Dodgers was the rising star, Chris Paddack.
Buehler worked through the five planned innings Roberts referenced during his pre-game press conference, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks. The three hits Buehler surrendered to the Padres were all solo home runs, which made it clear that although he has a case to be considered one of baseball’s true aces, he still has some work to do on the road to returning to form in 2020.
The Dodgers’ offense collected two home runs, two doubles, and two singles against Padres’ pitching despite a minor injury keeping Mookie Betts out of the lineup. L.A.’s home run total increased to 19 with solo home runs from Joc Pederson and Cody Bellinger on Monday, keeping the team’s National League lead in that category alive.
Scoring Plays
- TOP 1ST: Pederson solo home run (1-0 LAD)
- BOT 1ST: Grisham solo home run (1-1)
- BOT 4TH: Myers solo home run (2-1 SD)
- TOP 5TH: Smith RBI double (3-2 LAD)
- BOT 5TH: Tatis solo home run (3-3)
- BOT 6TH: Cronenworth RBI single (4-3 SD)
- BOT 6TH: Hedges RBI single (5-3 LAD)
- TOP 9TH: Bellinger solo home run (5-4 LAD)
DLD Play of the Game
In the bottom of the third inning, Manny Machado popped up behind first-base where Matt Beaty ranged back to make an impressive juggling catch. For his determination to record the inning-ending out, Matt Beaty earns Dodgers-LowDown play of the game.
Nice catch, @matt_beatybu pic.twitter.com/Arf6W9zwW0
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHarrisTBLA) August 4, 2020
DLD Player of the Game
In the top of the fifth inning, Will Smith stung an RBI double into center field, scoring Corey Seager and Matt Beaty, giving the Dodgers the lead, and making his statement for Dodgers-LowDown player of the game. Smith went 1 for 2 with a walk and two RBI on the evening.
Splitting the gap for two! #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/ZpN5jHGes0
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 4, 2020
Up Next
The Dodgers will continue their three-game set against the Padres on Tuesday with a match-up of rookie starters Dustin May and Dinelson Lamet. First-pitch is scheduled for 6:10 PM PDT, the same start time as Monday’s game.
Arrick Joel has covered the Dodgers since 2017. Follow him on Twitter at @ArrickJoel and follow @DodgersLowDown for more.