Max Scherzer only managed to pitch five innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t excel in situational hitting, but they still held off the New York Mets for a 4-3 victory. The Dodgers improved to 6-0 against the Mets since Aug. 13, and overall are on a nine-game winning streak.
After Scherzer stranded leadoff double in the first inning, Trea Turner provided L.A. with an early lead behind a solo home run. It was Turner’s 19th this season but first since being traded to the Dodgers.
“It was good to finally get it out of the way,” Turner said after the game. “I felt like it’s been forever since I’ve hit one.”
Albert Pujols added to the Dodgers’ lead two batters later by ambushing the first pitch he saw from Rich Hill for an opposite-field solo home run. Chris Taylor made it a third homer off the former Dodgers starter in the fourth inning.
First Dodger homer for @treavturner! pic.twitter.com/58HVTmtiqO
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 21, 2021
Tío Albert wastes no time. pic.twitter.com/ZokkvaemKy
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 21, 2021
Third homer of the day for the Men in Blue. pic.twitter.com/a8GrIC1bul
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 21, 2021
L.A. only scored one run after Taylor’s blast, which came after loading the bases with nobody out in the sixth inning. Failing to further capitalize on that opportunity kept pressure on the Dodgers bullpen after Scherzer’s short start.
The right-hander did what he could by stranding a runner in scoring position in each of the first four innings but ran into trouble with two outs in the fifth when Brandon Nimmo slugged a solo home run off the foul pole in right field.
Nimmo to that point improved to 3-for-3 on the day and a triple shy of the cycle.
More trouble ensued as a double, hit by pitch and walk loaded the bases. Scherzer continued to battle and struck out J.D. Davis to get out of the jam and keep the damage to a minimum.
Blake Treinen’s streak of not allowing an earned run ended at 23 appearances when Pete Alonso’s homer that cut the Dodgers’ lead to 4-3 in the seventh inning.
Kenley Jansen’s second appearance in as many days produced the same result as he stranded the tying run at second base. Jansen’s save gave the Dodgers a sixth consecutive win in one-run games.
Dodgers finish where they started
The Oakland Athletics were two outs away from a second consecutive win over the San Francisco Giants, but LaMonte Wade Jr. hit a go-ahead two-run homer that held as a game-winner.
The Giants’ rally kept the Dodgers 1.5 games back of first place in the National League West.
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