The Los Angeles Dodgers salvaged their series against the Washington Nationals by earning a 6-5 win on Wednesday to avoid being swept and finish 2-4 on their first domestic road trip of the regular season.
The Dodgers recalled Landon Knack from Triple-A Oklahoma City before the game to make a spot start, which came on the heels of Justin Wrobleski doing the same for the injured Blake Snell on Tuesday.
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Knack struggled as he allowed five runs in just 2.1 innings of work, but was picked up by the bullpen combining to throw 6.2 scoreless frames.
Kirby Yates recorded two strikeouts in a perfect sixth inning and said the Dodgers wanted to end their road trip with a win, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“I don’t want to say we were desperate for a win,” said veteran right-hander Kirby Yates, one of six relievers who threw up a zero Wednesday. “But we didn’t want to leave here without one.”
It’s no secret that the Dodgers have astronomical expectations this year, but every team seemingly goes through slumps over the course of a 162-game season. Even with their recent struggles, the Dodgers are one of just two teams with 10 wins so far this season.
The Dodgers not only had to tap into their starting pitching depth against the Nationals, but they were also without Freddie Freeman as he recovers from a right ankle sprain.
The eight-time All-Star has missed nine consecutive games but could return to the lineup when the Dodgers begin a series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday.
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After struggling on the road, the Dodgers look to right the ship when they return home for six games against the Cubs and Colorado Rockies.
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