Offense comes alive late as Dodgers win series

It looked like the Dodgers offense had taken yet another day off through most of Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. Entering the seventh inning, LA had yet to score a run and had only a handful of hits. Kevin Gausman was dealing for the Giants, and it appeared the Dodgers were on the verge of losing their first series of the year.

Then, the bats came alive. LA scored six runs over the final two innings as they defeated the Giants, 6-2. The Dodgers have yet to lose a series this year.

In the bottom of the seventh, Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner each delivered back-to-back singles, putting more than one runner on base for the first time all game, with Tyler Rogers relieving Gausman between the hits. After a Max Muncy strikeout, there were two outs for AJ Pollock. After getting ahead in the count 3-0, two quick strikes made it a full count. Then, on a 3-2 curveball, Pollock sent this pitch into the stands to give the Dodgers their first lead since Friday and sending Rogers to the showers.

The Dodgers offense continued to stay hot the following inning. Will Smith led the inning off with a walk and Kiké Hernandez doubled, putting two runners in scoring position. Mookie Betts stepped to the plate against new reliever Shaun Anderson, hitless over the course of his last two games.

He wasted no time, turning on the first pitch he saw, sending it into the left field bleachers for a three-run homer, his fourth homer this season.

The two three-run homers were all the Dodgers needed on Sunday in their win.

The pitching

Yet again, the pitching was fantastic for LA. Let’s start with Walker Buehler, who made his third start of the season. Though he struggled a bit with command, he still gave the Dodgers a decent outing. He went 5 ²⁄₃ innings, striking out six and allowing only two runs.

It could have been a lot worse, as Buehler walked four batters, mostly the leadoff hitters nearly every inning. He was able to work around a lot of jams, and got more swing and misses than any game this season. It’s been a little rough of a start to the season for Buehler, but he’s definitely looked better during each outing.

The bullpen then did what they’ve done all season, shut things down. Caleb Ferguson, Jake McGee, Blake Trienen and Kenley Jansen all combined to throw 3 ¹⁄₃ innings of shutout ball, striking out five and allowing only one hit.

Sunday particulars

WP: Jake McGee (1-0) 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 SO

LP: Tyler Rogers (1-3) ¹⁄₃ IP, 2 ER

Home runs: AJ Pollock (4), Mookie Betts (4)

Box score

Up next

The Dodgers welcome the San Diego Padres to Dodger Stadium for a four-game series. Dustin May gets the start for LA tomorrow night. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. PT.