The Los Angeles Dodgers got some revenge of sorts in a rematch of the 2018 World Series as they took two out of three from the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, capping off the weekend win with a 7-4 victory in 12 innings on Sunday night.
The Dodgers got on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning as A.J. Pollock hit a three-run home run off David Price that barely cleared the wall down the right-field line.
Pollock also hit an RBI single later in the game and finished 3-for-6 with four RBI. After spending almost the entire season on the injured list, Pollock has looked good since returning as he hit two home runs in the Red Sox series and put together a three-game hitting streak.
Perhaps the play of the night came on the defensive side of the ball for the Dodgers. With a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning, Alex Verdugo threw out Rafael Devers trying to score on a single to left field. Verdugo’s throw registered at 97.1 mph and marked his fifth outfield assist of the season.
The Dodgers bullpen could not hold onto the lead though, and much like Game 3 of last year’s World Series, this one required extra innings.
After neither team was able to score, the Dodgers were finally able to break through in the 12th inning. Max Muncy drew a bases-loaded walk to give L.A. a decided lead, then two more runs came in to score on a single up the middle by Verdugo and Martin reaching on a fielder’s choice.
While it wasn’t pretty all night, Joe Kelly wound up coming in to complete the victory and earn his first save in a Dodgers uniform. There was added satisfaction in that it came against his former team.
One downside for the Dodgers is Chris Taylor was hit by a pitch in his left wrist. Taylor initially remained in the game but was pinch-hit for when his spot came up in the lineup. X-rays were negative but the Dodgers are going to continue to monitor his status.
