The Dodgers offense scored early and scored often on Tuesday night en route to a third straight win, beating the Reds 8-2 on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium in the middle game of a three-game series.
Joc Pederson doubled to left center field in the fourth inning to score Trayce Thompson and erase the Dodgers' only deficit of the night. Then Pederson stole third and scored when catcher Tucker Barnhart's throw sailed into left field, one of three errors on the night for the Reds, who have six errors in two games in this series.
Thompson then doubled to the wall in right field in the sixth inning and later scored. He had two hits on the night. Tuesday was the ninth straight start for Thompson, who is 10-for-31 (.323) with seven runs scored during that span.
After three walks in the eighth inning, all with two outs, Justin Turner 's two-run single keyed a three-run inning that pushed the game further out of reach.
The win was the Dodgers' eighth straight win over the Reds, dating back to 2015, and sent Cincinnati to its ninth straight loss this season.
Breaking good
Mike Bolsinger had his off-speed stuff working all night, and retired 10 in a row at one point, including four strikeouts in a five-batter stretch. Four of his six strikeouts on the night were of the swinging variety, and all finished off by either a curve or slider.
The only blip came in the fourth inning, when Jay Bruce grounded a ball that caromed off first base for a two-out double, followed by Adam Duvall reaching down to get one of those curves, hitting a ball just over the outstretched glove of Joc Pederson at the center field wall for a two-run home run.
Bolsinger pitched into the sixth inning, striking out six while allowing only those two runs. He struck out six and didn't walk a batter until Brandon Phillips coaxed one out of him with two outs in the sixth. That free pass ended Bolsinger's night at 85 pitches, but Luis Avilan was able to get the left-handed Bruce to ground out to first to end the inning with no damage, with Adrian Gonzalez able to snag the ball before another carom double could occur.
For starters
Chase Utley and Corey Seager each singled to open the first inning against Reds rookie Daniel Wright, then Justin Turner lofted a pop fly single into shallow right to score Utley for a quick run.
Wright was the first Reds pitcher to allow a hit to each of his first three major league batters faced since Tom Hume on May 25, 1977 against San Francisco. In between those two, Phil Dumatrait came close, allowing single-walk-single-single to his first four batters faced on Aug. 2, 2007 against Washington.
The first inning remains the Dodgers' most prolific inning this season, with 29 runs scored and a +15 run differential in the opening frame.
Utley was 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored on the night, and on the season has a .382 on-base percentage.
Not alone
A.J. Morris pitched the eighth inning for the Reds, also making his big league debut.
A.J. Morris becomes the 23rd pitcher used by the Reds this season. The single-season franchise record is 30.
— Reds Media Relations (@RedsPR) May 25, 2016
Morris walked three batters all with two outs, then allowed a two-run single before departing, in favor of Josh Smith, making his 2016 debut for Cincinnati on Tuesday night.
RHP Josh Smith is the 24th pitcher used by the Reds this season. The single-season franchise record is 30.
— Reds Media Relations (@RedsPR) May 25, 2016
Smith allowed a single for another run, and the Reds bullpen this season has a 6.53 ERA, more than a run worse than any other team in baseball.
The Dodgers used 31 pitchers in 2015, setting their own franchise record.
The Wild horse experience
The sixth inning provided a full-service ride on the Yasiel Puig roller coaster, beginning with a drive to right field off the wall to score an insurance run. The hit was a good sign in that Puig driving the ball the other way is usually proof that he is locked in at the plate, though the drive was only a single because Puig took a long time to admire his drive at home plate before running.
One out later in the inning, pinch hitter Howie Kendrick hit a hard grounder off the glove of Joey Votto at first base for an error. Puig, who was on second base, never stopped and slid in under the tag and under a bat at home plate for another insurance run.
Puig was also removed from the game after the inning, for not running out his single off the wall.
Puig removed from game because Roberts said "he needed to be on 2B", saying "we talk about playing the game the right way".
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) May 25, 2016
Up next
The Dodgers go for the series sweep on Wednesday night, sending Scott Kazmir to the mound in the series finale. The Reds will counter with right-hander Dan Straily.
Tuesday particulars
Home run: Adam Duvall (9)
WP - Mike Bolsinger (1-1): 5⅔ IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts
LP - Daniel Wright (0-1): 5⅓ IP, 7 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 1 walk, 4 strikeouts