The Los Angeles Dodgers reached the end of their five-game road trip on Mother’s Day, which was also Adrian Gonzalez’s 34th birthday. Gonzalez spent Sunday afternoon as the Dodgers’ designated hitter, with Howie Kendrick starting in his place at first base.
With a win against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Dodgers would finish 3-2 on their road trip. Marco Estrada got a pair of groundouts and a fly out for a 1-2-3 first inning. Ross Stripling bookended the bottom of the first with strikeouts as he retired the side in order.
Estrada induced another pair of grounders in the second, and ended the inning with a strikeout of Kendrick. Stripling missed his location on a pitch to Edwin Encarnacion, and it nearly cost him as Encarnacion flied out to the warning track in left-center field.
Justin Smoak went down swinging and Troy Tulowitzki was called out on strikes to complete two scoreless innings. Estrada added to his strikeout total by getting Joc Pederson swinging and Carl Crawford looking in the third. Trayce Thompson flied out to end the third inning.
Stripling’s early bid for a perfect game came to an end on Kevin Pillar’s leadoff double in the bottom of the third. Pillar then advanced to third base on a Russell Martin grounder to the right side of the infield.
With the corners drawn in, Kendrick made a stop on his knees and attempted to throw Pillar out at home plate, but it was to no avail. Stripling retired the next two batters faced to keep the Blue Jays’ lead at 1-0.
CONTINUE READING: Joc Pederson adds to home run total, Chase Utley makes amazing diving catch
