With their 6-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners in 11 innings on Saturday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed the National League West for the 10th time in 11 seasons.
In the top of the 11th inning, with one out, Max Muncy drove in Mookie Betts from second on a single off Gabe Speier (2-2). Fans in Dodger blue yelled their appreciation when Chris Taylor and Kιke Hernández each Һit two-run singles off Isaiah Campbell, sending Seattle fans packing.
Joe Kelly got the final three outs in the 10th inning after being relieved by Evan Phillips (2-4). After the game, the Dodgers celebrated their division championship with a brief on-field celebration full of hugs and championship gear.
After the Padres’ massive offseason investment, there was speculation that they could challenge the Dodgers for first place in the NL West. While there were still a few weeks left in the regular season, Los Angeles once again showed why they were the best in the division.
That’s really cool. Before the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remarked, “You look back, beginning of the year, middle of the year, to see we have this opportunity tonight it’s a credit to a lot of people.”
The Mariners lost again despite having a chance to close the gap in the AL West while the Dodgers will spend the remaining two weeks of the season trying to clinch a playoff spot.
The Mariners had an opportunity to grab the lead in the eighth inning on Saturday, when both Texas and Houston had already lost. Despite gaining a game on the Rangers, Seattle was still 112 games behind first-place Houston.
Both starting pitchers were brilliant through the first nine innings, but a vital at-bat came in the tenth from a pinch-hitter for each team. The Dodgers took the lead on a sacrifice fly by Kolten Wong, but the Giants tied it up on a two-out RBI single by Mike Ford, scoring Josh Rojas.
Teoscar Hernández grounded into a force play with the bases loaded to stop Seattle’s potential game-winning threаt in the 10th inning. In the eighth inning, with no outs and runners on first and second, the Mariners’ J.P. Crawford, Julio Rodrguez, and Hernández all struck out.
REUNION WITH KERSHAW
Clayton Kershaw, making his way back to the mound for the Dodgers after a lengthy layoff, threw four innings. Kershaw had not pitched since September 5, and it was hoped that the time off would allow him to iron out the kinks in his control that surfaced in his previous outing.
Two of the first three batters Kershaw faced ended up on walks. He settled in immediately, though, allowing just two singles while striking out four over 55 pitches before being taken out of the game in favor of Emmet Sheehan.
Sheehan was fantastic in his bullpen appearance, going three innings and striking out five batters while allowing only one runner to reach second base. With Kershaw and Sheehan on the mound, they had retired 12 successive batters before Ty France’s seventh-inning single broke the streak with two outs.
Rookie for Seattle
Seattle’s starting pitcher Bryce Miller held the Dodgers scoreless through the sixth inning despite facing them for the first time in his career. The youngster allowed just four hits and struck out four batters, with Jason Heyward in the fifth inning being the only one to reach third. With a spectacular catch on Betts’ line drive, Rodriguez halted the inning.
For the third time in his career, Heyward Һit three doubles.
KEEP UP THE RUN
With a walk in the first inning, Hernández extended his on-base streak to 30 games. It’s also the longest stretch of the season by a Mariner and the longest in the majors.
Next up for the Dodgers: Los Angeles had not yet decided who will start on the mound on Sunday, but RHP Gavin Stone was expected to work a majority of the game either as the opener or in relief.
Right-handed Pitcher for the Mariners For the first time in his career, the Los Angeles Dodgers will face off against Logan Gilbert (13-5, 3.62 ERA). In his previous start against the Angels, Gilbert allowed three runs over seven innings. Over his last 13 outings, Gilbert’s ERA is 2.98.
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Initial release date: 9/16/2023 at 10:17 PM
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The CBS News has more.
Padres take the series for the first time since 2021 thanks to a 6-1 victory by Snell over the Dodgers.
Merrifield hits game-winning single in 13th inning as Blue Jays beаt Red Sox 4-3.
Tigers beаt Angels 11-2 behind a seven-inning gem from Skubal and four-run homer from Báez.
Arozarena’s walk-off homer in the ninth inning gave the Rays a 5-4 victory against the Twins as they prepared for a weekend series against the Orioles.