The Los Angeles Dodgers struggled early but broke the game open late to earn a 9-1 win on Wednesday and series sweep of the San Francisco Giants.
Despite being held to one baserunner in the first three innings, the Dodgers tallied 11 hits and four walks against the Giants pitching staff. It was the breakout game manager Dave Roberts envisioned when wanting to see more consistency from the lineup.
“We’ve played a number of ballgames this year, but I think collectively it was the best one we’ve played as far as taking walks when we needed to, using the whole field, hitting the ball on the line, running the bases,” he said. “Just a well-played offensive game.”
The top of the Dodgers lineup was especially productive as both Mookie Betts and Max Muncy hit home runs. Freddie Freeman added an extra-base hit as well with a two-run triple.
“I think the swings that we took, I wouldn’t say Mookie or Max were thinking about slugging right there,” Roberts answered when asked if the power display adds another element to the Dodgers lineup.
“I think they were just trying to square it up, hit the ball hard and on a line somewhere. When you just miss it, it turns into homers. I thought Alex was really good early and we just kind of clawed away.
“The homer in the sixth was big to get a little insurance from Mookie, and to tack on late was big. I’d be remiss to not mention the defense. The infield defense, really good. Some double plays I thought were really nice. And Cody is just playing a Gold Glove in center field.”
The Dodgers outscored the Giants, 12-2, in their two-game sweep and maintained their lead in the National League West standings.
“Certainly it’s always good to beat a divisional opponent, but I think the way we won, we prevented runs, we played good defense, one through nine, guys took really good at-bats,” Roberts said of his team’s performance.
“Will Smith took a couple walks, and those were big at-bats. Gavin to go the other way late was really good to see. Up and down our lineup, a lot of positives.”
Roberts: Giants bring out ‘best’ in Dodgers
Although Wednesday’s meeting wound up being lopsided, Roberts believes the series between the Dodgers and Giants had more intensity than usual for an early May matchup. “I think certainly they have to bring out the best in us,” he said.
“They sort of always do. It’s a very good ballclub over there. I’m just happy we drew well this series and performed well.”
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