Dodgers win is a singular success

It’s incredible how two teams can play each other two days in a row and have the games be so different. But the end result was the same, and Tuesday was fittingly decided by a Seager.

Corey Seager singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning for a 2-1 win over the Mariners, the seventh victory in a row for the Dodgers.

After a slugfest that featured 20 runs on Monday, the Dodgers and Mariners staged a pitching duel Tuesday, combining for only three runs, that scored on two ground ball singles and a ground out.

Austin Barnes continued his offensive resurgence with two singles, extending his hitting streak to seven games, five of which have been multi-hit contests. He led off the sixth with a single, advanced to second on a ground ball, then scored the first run of the game on a two-out single to left field by Justin Turner.

Barnes easily beat the throw from Dee Gordon, a sharp contrast to the fourth inning, when Seager was held at third on a fly out to Gordon in medium left.

Barnes also walked in the eighth, then stole second to set the stage for Seager’s winning hit. Barnes had the green light, and took second base after the Mariners decided to play behind him.

“I was a little confused, because I can run a little bit,” Barnes said. “I’m not super slow, so I just took a shot.”

That shot paid off.

More zeroes

Tony Gonsolin was magnificent again, allowing only two singles and hitting a batter in six innings, matching the longest start of his career. Gonsolin struck out three in his third straight scoreless start, and maxed out at 98 mph.

“Strength-wise, I feel like I’m as strong as I’ve ever been. Mechanically, I’m as good as I’ve ever been,” Gonsolin said. “I’m just kind of going out there and throwing with good intent and a little bit of an extra edge.”

He’s done just about everything possible to stay in the rotation, allowing nine baserunners, including only one extra-base hit in 14⅔ scoreless innings, with 12 strikeouts.

“Tony did everything he can do, and that’s the most important part. I think we’ve got some some difficult decisions,” manager Dave Roberts said after the game. “With Ross [Stripling] in the rotation and trying to get him on track, with Alex [Wood] coming back at some point, and with a taxed bullpen, there’s things that we’ve got to discuss internally.

“We’ll do what’s best for all of us. But obviously, looking out whether it’s short term or longer term, Tony certainly going to be a big part of this.”

Marco Gonzalez was just as good, if not better. He allowed only one run in seven innings, striking out nine. The Dodgers are hitting just .209/.318/.345 against left-handed pitchers this season, including .197/.290/.323 against southpaw starters.

Tuesday particulars

Home runs: none

WP — Blake Treinen (2-1): 1⅔ IP, 1 strikeout

LP — Dan Altavilla (1-2): 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 run, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts

Up next

These teams shift to Seattle for two more games, with Julio Urias starting Wednesday night (6:40 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA), facing right-hander Taijuan Walker for the Mariners.