Dodgers homer 4 times, close the door in game one of Philly series (7/23)

1_D0a6aYEOj1xn-SDHSr6wlw
(Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

The Dodgers take game one in Philadelphia by a score of 7-6, powered by four solo home runs. Scott Alexander collects the win, his second on the year, alongside Kenley Jansen who earned his National League leading 29th save.

Last night marked what seems sure to be Chase Utley’s final series opener in Philadelphia, where he was drafted and played thirteen seasons with the Phillies. As Utley emerged from the on-deck circle to take his first hacks of the game, he was met with an overwhelming ovation from the crowd at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The standing-o went on for multiple minutes as Dodger fans and Phillie fans alike began to cheer for the legendary second baseman. Fan-made posters could be read all across the stadium paying homage and respects to “The Man”, “The Silver Fox”, Chase Utley, as he started at second base for what could possibly be his final time starting a game in front of the Philadelphia crowd.

Offensive Performance

While most of the attention remained on Utley and his farewell tour, the rest of the Dodgers lineup did not disappoint. Max Muncy, Yasmani Grandal, Chris Taylor, and Joc Pederson all went yard in the game, giving the Dodgers the needed spark to gain early footing against the current NL East leader.

Max Muncy played a very pivotal role in the game, launching an early home run to give the Dodgers a quick 1-0 lead, and hanging a ball in center field as a sacrifice play, scoring Manny Machado from third to tie it up at 5-5 in the 7th inning. He finished the night with a respectable 2 for 3 line, partnered with a walk in the 9th.

Leading off in the 9th, tied at five a piece, was the Dodgers’ top prospect, Alex Verdugo. With a 3-2 count, Verdugo inked a walk and later came around to score on a wild pitch, giving the Dodgers a late 6-5 lead.

While Verdugo’s efforts were huge and needed for the victory, Matt Kemp’s bases-loaded single to left field plated what would later be defined as the game-winning run. Kemp’s ability to give the Dodgers the clutch hit in crunch-time didn’t wear off over the All Star break, as Kemp continues to hit above .400 with runners in scoring position. Kemp is the well-deserved owner of the 2018 Heart and Hustle Award, which was announced following last night’s victory.

Defensive Performance

Ross Stripling began the night for the Dodgers and worked through 4.2 innings of one-run baseball, but struggled and was chased before finishing the 5th inning. Stripling gave up back-to-back home runs with two outs in the inning, a 3-run and a solo shot. This series of events gave the Phillies a 5-4 lead with the bullpen now taking control of the mound for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers bullpen branched over 3.1 perfect innings to reach the 9th for Kenley Jansen. A combination of Zac Rosscup, J.T. Chargois, Daniel Hudson, and Scott Alexander held the Phillies at bay for the entrance of the NL’s top closer, Kenley Jansen However, the perfect streak ended one pitch into the 9th as Jansen surrendered a solo home run to Maikel Franco to make it a 7-6 score. Nevertheless, Jansen sat down the following three batters to shut the door and seal the Dodgers’ victory over the Phillies.

DLD Player of the Game

After last night’s showing, Max Muncy is the Dodgers-LowDown Player of the Game!

Muncy broke our scoreless tie in the very 1st inning and didn’t look back, racking up the team lead in hits and runs batted in. Muncy’s 1st inning homer marks his first since the break and his outing in the Home Run Derby.

Great game, Max!

 

Arrick Joel has been a writer with Dodgers-LowDown since June of 2018

Related posts