The Los Angeles Dodgers began their series with the red-hot Baltimore Orioles on the right note, winning the opener in comeback fashion thanks to the heroics of Chris Taylor.
The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a double from Ryan Mountcastle before they continued to add on in the second when Adam Frazier hit into an RBI groundout and Gunnar Henderson tripled home a run to put Baltimore up 3-0.
Emmet Sheehan began to settle in from there and the Dodgers got on the board with an RBI single from J.D. Martinez in the top of the fourth that trimmed into the Orioles’ lead. However, they quickly added that run back on an Adley Rutschman homer in the fifth inning.
¡Buena jugada de Muncy! 😎 #AquíParaJugar pic.twitter.com/tlxgn3DyLk
— Los Dodgers (@LosDodgers) July 18, 2023
CT3 GRAND SLAM? O, BABY! pic.twitter.com/k6DzqS3pd4
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 18, 2023
Victory formation!
Dodgers x @Yaamava pic.twitter.com/yH0rqsfw2s
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 18, 2023
With the Dodgers trailing 4-1 in the top of the sixth, Will Smith cut the Orioles’ lead in half with an RBI single, and a two-out walk from Jason Heyward later loaded the bases.
Chris Taylor then was batting and fell behind 0-2 but continued to battle with two straight foul balls. On the fifth pitch of that at-bat, Taylor blasted a grand slam to put the Dodgers up 6-4.
From there, the Dodgers turned to their bullpen after Sheehan allowed four runs over five innings, and a string of relief pitchers continued their impressive work.
Over the last month, no bullpen has a lower ERA than the Dodgers group, which saw Yency Almonte, Alex Vesia and Caleb Ferguson each throw a scoreless inning to record a hold.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts turned to Ryan Brasier in the ninth, and he shut the door for his second save of the season.
Dodgers closing in on franchise grand slam record
Taylor gave the Dodgers nine grand slams this year, which tied with the 2000 team for third-most in franchise history. The 2004 Dodgers hit 10 grand slams, but the franchise record belongs to the 2021 club that hit 11 in one season.
Of the Dodgers’ grand slams this year, nine have come in the sixth inning or later, and five have tied the game or given L.A. a lead.
The Dodgers lead the Majors this season in grand slams.
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