Dodgers hit five homers as they knock Angels out of playoffs

The Dodgers hit five home runs on Friday night, defeating the Angels 9-5 for their 41st win of the season. With the win, the Dodgers knocked the Angels out of postseason contention.

Clayton Kershaw made his final start of 2020, and you would have liked to see him make a better start. He lasted only four innings, being removed after making 78 pitches. Though he wasn’t on a pitch count or innings limit, it was expected that he wouldn’t make more than 85-90 pitches. Unfortunately for Kershaw, he finished 1 ²⁄₃ innings short of qualifying for the leaderboards across baseball.

Though it’d be great for him to qualify, that doesn’t discredit the incredible season he had. He finished with a 2.16 ERA, and looked vintage in majority of his starts. However, there was a little concern with his outing tonight. His velocity was down, sitting at about 90. He allowed a season-high eight hits, while also allowing two homers. Kershaw also struck out only three.

I get it, it’s only one start and will likely mean nothing. But with this being his final start before the postseason, it would have been a little more encouraging for it to have gone a tad better.

Moving on to the offense, because there was a lot of it. The Dodgers hit a total of five home runs, adding on to their ridiculous total through 60 games. Justin Turner was the first to get in on the action, hitting his third of the season in the third inning.

AJ Pollock hit one the following season, his 14th of the season in only 53 games. He hit 15 last season in only 86 games. Hitting a total of 29 homers in 139 games is pretty good I must say.

Some more homers from the Dodgers in the fifth inning helped put them ahead, giving them a lead they wouldn’t give up the remainder of the night. Turner hit his second homer of the night, the ninth time he’s had a multi-homer game while with the Dodgers. Will Smith followed his lead two batters later, hitting a two-run shot to put LA ahead.

Edwin Rios wanted to get in on the fun, hitting his seventh of the season in the eighth to give the Dodgers the 9-5 lead.

Friday particulars

WP: Brusdar Graterol (1-2) 1 IP, 1 ER

LP: Andrew Heaney (4-4) 4 IP, 5 ER, 3 SO

HR: Justin Turner, 2 (4) AJ Pollock (14) Will Smith (7) Mike Trout (17) Justin Upton (9) Jared Walsh (9) Edwin Rios (11)

Box score

Up next

The Dodgers will send Tony Gonsolin to the mound for his final start of 2020 tomorrow. First pitch is at 6:10 p.m. PT on SportsNet LA and Fox Sports West.