DLD Recap: Tony Gonsolin Dominates As Dodger Bats Show Some Life In Win Over Padres

Photo Credit: Kyusung Gong/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

POST-GAME BRIEFING

The Dodgers made sure they wouldn’t be swept by the Padres in this four-game series at Dodger Stadium. Tony Gonsolin looked sharp on the mound, Dave Roberts played small ball to try to jolt awake a sleeping offense and the Dodgers won 6-0.

In the 5th, a walk, a bunt single, a line-drive single, and a second bunt put the Dodgers up 2-0. The Dodgers’ bats then did come alive, tacking on four insurance runs (including a Justin Turner three-run blast) in the bottom of the 8th.

Justin Turner purchases some insurance for the Dodgers in the form of a 3 run Dong to center pic.twitter.com/PnSmGLgUEX

— Dodgers-LowDown (@DodgersLowDown) August 13, 2020

The bullpen was dominant again (as it has been all season) and completed the shutout that Gonsolin started. Kenley Jansen inherited a bases-loaded, no-out scenario in the top of the 9th, and managed to close the door without surrendering a run.

An injury note: catcher Will Smith was removed from the game with a sore neck in the top of the 5th; he was replaced by Austin Barnes. After the game Roberts said Smith originally hurt his neck in a collision in San Diego last week. Tonight, Smith’s neck tightened up on him when he tried to field a bunt. Barnes will start tomorrow, Roberts said.

SCORING PLAYS

• BOT 5TH: Edwin Ríos RBI single (1-0 LAD)
• BOT 5TH: Austin Barnes SAC bunt RBI (2-0 LAD)
• BOT 8TH: Cody Bellinger RBI double (3-0)
• BOT 8TH: Justin Turner 3-run HR (6-0)

DLD PLAY(S) OF THE GAME

Before the Dodgers opened the lead in the 8th, they did something they seldom do: manufacture runs. Dave Roberts used a little small ball in the bottom of the fifth to steal two runs from the Padres. AJ Pollock led off with a walk, and was followed by Chris Taylor, who laid a perfect bunt down the third base side for an infield single. With runners on first and second, Edwin Ríos lined a single off the pitcher’s glove that trickled into right field, scoring Pollock.

Then, with runners on first and third and nobody out, Austin Barnes (currently hitting well under the Mendoza line) laid a bunt down to score Taylor. Roberts later said Taylor’s bunt was Taylor’s decision, but the bunt by Barnes was Roberts’ call from the dugout.

Dodgers get two runs thanks to two bunts and a single that deflected off a glove. pic.twitter.com/cjzF73knrA

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 13, 2020

DLD PLAYER OF THE GAME

The DLD Player of the Game is Tony Gonsolin, who was absolutely dealing tonight. He pitched 4.2 innings of scoreless, three-hit baseball while striking out a career-high eight batters and only surrendering one walk. He only threw 82 pitches, but this was only his second start of the season (and his first start was nearly two weeks ago). Gonsolin clearly stayed sharp during his stint at the USC alternate site because he has yet to give up a an earned run this season.

If tonight was a tryout for a rotation spot, Tony Gonsolin passed with flying colors pic.twitter.com/X6NhCrr5pE

— Dodgers-LowDown (@DodgersLowDown) August 13, 2020

UP NEXT

The Dodgers will conclude their home stand – and four-game series – with the Padres Thursday night. The 6:40 p.m. game will pit Julio Urías against Chris Paddack.

In three starts this season, Urías is 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA, 10 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.27. This will be Urías’ first start against the Padres in 2020.

Paddack is 2-1 this year with a 3.18 ERA, 21 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.01 in four starts. Last time out vs. the Dodgers on August 3, Paddack went 6.0 innings, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out five. That was good enough to pick up the win; the Padres beat the Dodgers 5-4.

Jake Reiner covers the Dodgers for Dodgers-LowDown and is a reporter for KCBS/KCAL. Follow him on twitter @QualityJakes. 

Amanda Powers is an editor and writer for Dodgers-LowDown. Follow her on Twitter @geekpowers.