The Los Angeles Dodgers reached the end of their 20-games-in-20-days stretch on Wednesday, looking to complete a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds before departing on a seven-game road trip.
Scott Kazmir opened the first inning with back-to-back strikeouts. Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips combined for back-to-back singles to put Kazmir in a little trouble with two outs. He worked his way out of it by getting Jay Bruce to line out.
Dan Straily also started his first inning of work with consecutive strikeouts. Justin Turner then grounded into the shift for the third out. Kazmir added to his strikeout total in the second inning by striking out the side.
Straily struck out Adrian Gonzalez to start the bottom of the second, then retired Trayce Thompson and Joc Pederson for a 1-2-3 inning. Cincinnati didn’t find any success in the third, with Kazmir collecting his sixth strikeout of the game.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers were held without a hit through three innings as Straily struck out the side. Phillips drove a one-out single into right field by a diving Chase Utley in the fourth inning.
Bruce followed with a deep drive to center field that Pederson was unable to make a leaping catch on. He collided with the fence, allowing Phillips to score from first base. However, Bruce was thrown out on his attempt at an inside-the-park home run.
CONTINUE READING: Scott Kazmir matches season high with 12 strikeouts
