The Los Angeles Dodgers continued with Interleague play on Friday, beginning a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Both clubs entered the matchup at .500 on the season, with the Dodgers in a three-way tie for first place in the National League West, and Blue Jays sitting in third place in the American League East.
Marcus Stroman got off to a strong start, striking out Chase Utley and Corey Seager in the first inning. Justin Turner lined the first pitch he saw into center field for a two-out single, but Adrian Gonzalez also swung at Stroman’s first offering, grounding into the shift for the third out.
Kenta Maeda started the bottom of the first with a strikeout of Michael Saunders, then walked Josh Donaldson on four pitches. Donaldson promptly moved into scoring position by getting a walking lead and easily stealing second base.
He was stranded as Jose Bautista popped-out, and Turner robbed Edwin Encarnacion of an extra-base hit and RBI by laying out for a diving catch on a line drive hit to his right. The Dodgers again had a man reach with two outs, as Howie Kendrick got aboard on an infield single.
Stroman ended the second inning by getting Joc Pederson to chase a pitch in the dirt for his fourth strikeout of the game. Maeda issued a leadoff walk to Justin Smoak in the bottom of the second. Maeda bounced right back to get consecutive strikeouts of Kevin Pillar and Russell Martin.
Ryan Goins then flied out on the first pitch he saw to end the inning. Carl Crawford led off the third with an infield single on a high chopper in the hole at shortstop. He was thrown out trying to steal second base soon after.
CONTINUE READING: Dodgers load bases in ninth inning
