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It was a quiet day for the offense on Wednesday afternoon, with the team racking up only three hits. Luckily for LA, one of those hits was a three-run home run at the hands of A.J. Pollock. His blast helped give the Dodgers a 3-2 win over the Reds. The victory completed the three-game sweep, and puts their winning streak at four.
Getting the start for LA was Walker Buehler. After a few rough outings to begin the season, Buehler came into the contest with an ERA of 8.25. He threw his best outing of the year, going 6 1⁄3 innings and striking out eight. He allowed only three hits, and only one run scored, though it was unearned.
Through the first six innings, Buehler kept the Reds in check, allowing only one hit and never allowing a runner to reach second base.
Cincinnati put a little rally together in the top half of the seventh inning, putting runners on first and second with two outs. Scott Alexander came in to finish the inning. He allowed an inherited runner to score on a ground out, but the run was unearned due to a passed ball that advanced the runners.
The three Dodgers runs came in the inning prior. Austin Barnes led off the sixth with a walk, but Buehler and Joc Pederson followed with strikeouts; Barnes stole second base during Buehler’s at-bat. With two outs and first base open, Sonny Gray walked Cody Bellinger, putting runners on first and second for Pollock.
It seemed like a smart move at the time. However, Pollock made sure to make the Reds pay. He hit an 82-mph curve over the left-center fence, giving LA the 3-0 lead.
Well, you wanted to face A.J. so… pic.twitter.com/62NiBjYKgZ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 17, 2019
Kenley Jansen came in to pitch the ninth with a two-run cushion. Yasiel Puig would reach on an error, and would eventually wind up at third after a throwing error by Barnes. He came in to score on a sacrifice fly, cutting LA’s lead to only one. Jansen got Eugenio Suarez to fly out, giving the Dodgers the win and the sweep.
Wednesday particulars
WP: Walker Buehler (2-0) 6 1⁄3 IP, 8 SO, 1 BB, 1 ER
LP: Sonny Gray (0-3) 6 IP, 9 SO, 3 ER
SV: Kenley Jansen (5) 1 IP, 0 ER
Home Runs: AJ Pollock (2)
Up Next
The Dodgers will travel to Milwaukee for four games, as they’ll begin their series tomorrow night. Julio Urias (0-1, 5.27 ERA) will get the start for LA and square off against Zach Davies (2-0, 1.53 ERA). First pitch is at 5:10 pm PT.