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Even when it seemed like the Dodgers were absolutely going to lose, they found a way to pull through to complete the sweep over the Blue Jays with a 3-2 victory.
Really ... trust me when I say it didn’t seem like the Dodgers could get out of it this time.
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Let me set the scene for you.
Before heading into the ninth inning, the Dodgers were being one-hit. Only two other batters reached base via a pair of walks, but the Dodgers had nothing to show for it. Oh, and who got that one hit, you ask? Kenta Maeda.
Maeda tried to support his cause behind his solid start. (Granted, the Dodgers usually provide their pitchers with ample run support, since the offense scores about 5.5 runs per game.) He pitched six innings, allowing two runs to score from four hits and a walk. One of these runs came off a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. home run, which was bound to come sometime in this 3-game series.
The right hander finished the night with nine total strikeouts, which is tied for his second-most this year.
So anyway, the ninth inning comes and the Dodgers’ No. 2-3-4 batters are due up. Max Muncy does what he does best — walks. One line out later, Cody Bellinger hits a double to get a pair of Dodgers in scoring position. Then, Corey Seager does what he does best — doubles.
Tie game.
And just like a scene straight out of Hollywood, Kiké Hernández is up to the plate on his bobblehead night with a chance to win the game. Boom. Base hit. Seager scores. Walk-off.
PLAYING HERO ON HIS BOBBLEHEAD NIGHT. WALK IT OFF, @kikehndez! pic.twitter.com/rZoZ0q7VcY
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 23, 2019
Huge tip of the cap to Blue Jays starting pitcher, Jacob Waguespack. He pitched seven shutout innings against the monstrous LA offense.
Thursday’s win became the Dodgers’ second straight night with a walk-off win, and it completed their 3-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays.
LAD’s magic number is now 14, thanks to No. 14 with the clutch hit.
Thursday particulars
WP: Casey Sadler (3-0), 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LP: Derek Law (0-2), 2⁄3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Home runs: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (15)
Up next
The Dodgers will look to take their momentum into the highly anticipated weekend series against the New York Yankees. Hyun-Jin Ryu will take the mound against Yankees pitcher James Paxton. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PT.