The Los Angeles Dodgers returned home from a disappointing road trip for a homestand that’s going to comprise of two Interleague series.
It began with a matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays, who have been a bit of a surprise team in the American League East. Last season, the Dodgers won two of three games against the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Including the series opener, the Dodgers have only played 27 games against the Rays during the regular season. It’s their fourth-fewest against any opponent. The opponent L.A. has faced the least is the Kansas City Royals (24 games), followed by the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles at 25 games each. Though, Dodgers’ total games against the Orioles will change this weekend.
Dodgers 4, Rays 3: key takeaways
Eric Lauer quality start
Eric Lauer provided more of what had been seen in his first three starts since getting traded to the Dodgers. He entered 1-0 with a 2.76 ERA and had succeeded in keeping the Dodgers in the game each time out.
That continued Monday night despite surrendering a two-run homer to Ryan Vilade in the first inning, and the Rays manufacturing a run in the second.
That wound up being all Lauer allowed as he got through six innings. He stranded consecutive one-out singles in the fifth and retired the side in order the next inning.
The outing was Lauer’s second quality start as a member of the Dodgers.
Kyle Tucker leads 21st comeback win
The Dodgers quickly cut into their early deficit thanks in part to Kyle Tucker’s game-tying, three-run homer in the bottom of the second. Tucker’s second homer at Dodger Stadium this season followed Mookie Betts’ leadoff double and a single by Max Muncy.
Tucker later singled and finished 2-for-4.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told the ESPN broadcast booth one of the areas hitting coaches have worked on with Tucker is shortening the stride in his swing.
Miguel Rojas eases injury concern
After coming out of Saturday’s game early because of a right shin issue and not appearing in the series finale against the Chicago White Sox, Miguel Rojas delivered pinch-hit, go-ahead home run in the seventh inning.
It not only gave the Dodgers their decided lead but represented their first go-ahead, pinch-hit homer of the season.
Bullpen bounces back
Kyle Hurt pitched a scoreless seventh inning but Will Klein only retired two of three batters faced in the eighth. Alex Vesia stranded the inherited runner and Tanner Scott converted the save opportunity upon taking over in the ninth inning.
Scott retired Yandy Díaz for the third out, which snapped his on-base streak at 27 games.
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