Dodgers hit with runners on, pick up win over Cardinals

The Dodgers scored at least eight runs for the second game in a row as they picked up their second consecutive win, defeating the Cardinals 9-7.

With the win, LA trails the Rockies 1 ¹⁄₂ games for the NL West lead, and are one game out of the Wild Card.

The Dodgers brought their hot bats from Cincinnati to St. Louis as they opened the contest with three runs in the first inning.

Chris Taylor and Manny Machado both hit singles, and would advance to second and third on a wild-pitch. David Freese, who became a Cardinals legend back in 2011 after an incredible postseason, worked a 14-pitch at-bat. The battle paid off, as he scorched one down the left-field line for a two-run triple.

Matt Kemp brought in Freese with an RBI single to give LA the early 3-0 lead.

St. Louis answered with back-to-back hits to lead off the bottom of the first. Clayton Kershaw was able to escape the inning with limited damage, only allowing the Cardinals to plate one.

A pair of doubles would add to LA’s lead in the third, courtesy of Justin Turner and Machado.

After allowing hits to the first two batters, Kershaw settled down. Seven of his first nine outs came via the strikeout.

Three consecutive singles from Austin Barnes, Kiké Hernandez and Kershaw would give the Dodgers a 5-1 lead in the fourth.

This would be the end for rookie Austin Gomber, as he would go a career-low three innings. In his three innings of work, Gomber allowed five runs on nine hits. Not only was it the shortest outing of his career, it was the first career loss for the 24-year-old.

A double from Taylor and back-to-back sacrifice flies would tack on three more runs, giving LA an 8-1 lead in the fourth inning.

The Cardinals cut the lead in half in the fifth. Reliever Tyson Ross hit a solo homer off of Kershaw. After three hits, an error and a sacrifice fly, St. Louis tacked on two more runs to cut the Dodgers’ lead to four runs.

Manny Machado hit his 10th home run with the Dodgers in the seventh, giving LA a 9-4 lead.

Kenley Jansen came in to pitch the ninth, and gave the Cardinals a glimmer of hope. He allowed St. Louis to load the bases with only one out. Jedd Gyorko would bring in two on a force out at second, but a Machado throwing error on the throw to first, making the score 9-7.

Pinch-hitter Matt Adams, representing the tying run at the plate, grounded out to first, ending the game, and giving the Dodgers the victory.

On the night, LA was 5-for-10 with runners in scoring position. For the entire game, the Dodgers were able to capitalize with runners on, something they’ve struggled largely with over the last few weeks.

Up Next

The Dodgers will look to move into a tie for the second wild-card spot on Friday as they send Walker Buehler (6-5, 3.09 ERA) to the mound to square off against Jack Flaherty (8-6, 2.92 ERA).

Thursday Particulars

Home Runs: Tyson Ross (1) Manny Machado (34)

WP: Clayton Kershaw (8-5) 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 SO

LP: Austin Gomber (5-1) 3 IP, 7 ER, 9 H