Chris Taylor’s incredible at bat gives Dodgers victory

Chris Taylor had the at bat of the season, as his 14-pitch (!!!) at bat resulted in a bases-clearing double, helping the Dodgers pick up the 9-4 victory over the Cardinals on Memorial Day.

With score knotted at three a piece, Taylor stepped up to the plate with the score tied at three. The bases were loaded and there were two outs. About five minutes later, we had the best AB we’ve seen all season. Taylor saw an incredible 14 pitches before connecting on a fastball that he sent to right-center field, bringing in three runs to break the tie.

After quickly going up 2-0 in the count, Taylor fouled of five of the next six pitches he saw. On the ninth pitch of the at bat he took ball three, making it a full count. He then fouled off four more pitches, bringing up the 14th pitch. Taylor got all of it, as he sent it to the wall and cleared the bases to put LA up 6-3.

Incredible. Best at bat of the big-league season. Can’t convince me otherwise.

This wasn’t the only time Taylor delivered for the Dodgers on the night. He hit a solo home run in the second inning. He followed Gavin Lux, who also hit a solo home run before him. Overall, quite the night from Taylor.

Flipping things over to the pitching now. Trevor Bauer was fine, as he gave the Dodgers 6 ²⁄₃ innings. Just like all season, the home runs have killed him. He allowed four runs (one unearned) to score on three home runs. Aside from his three home runs allowed, Bauer allowed only two other hits on the night.

Bauer didn’t have his best stuff tonight. He recorded only five strikeouts, his second fewest all season. On the night he had only eight whiffs. His CSW% (Called strike/whiff percentage) was 29%. Still, he ate innings for the Dodgers and gave them a chance to win the game, that’s all you can ask for.

Victor Gonzalez relived Bauer in the seventh with two outs and the tying run at the plate. Gonzalez recorded the strikeout, getting the Dodgers out of the potential jam.

Nate Jones took the eighth inning for LA. Apparently a new go-to option in high-leverage innings, Jones was solid as he retired the side in order. After the Dodgers added two insurance runs in the eighth, Phil Bickford shut things down in the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning.

Other takeaways

• Mookie Betts returned to the lineup after missing Sunday due to allergies. He looked good as new tonight, as he reached base four times and had two hits.
• Cody Bellinger went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. He’s now 0-for-10 with seven strikeouts since returning from the IL.
• Gavin Lux had his second career multi-home run game

Monday particulars

WP: Trevor Bauer (6-3) 6 ²⁄₃ IP, 3 ER, 5 SO, 1 BB

LP: Ryan Helsley (3-3) ¹⁄₃ IP, 2 ER

HR: Chris Taylor (7) Gavin Lux (4) Justin Williams (4) Dylan Carlson (5) Tyler O’Neill (12)

Box score