After a disappointing loss in the series opener, the Los Angeles Dodgers got back on track with an 8-1 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday night to earn a series split at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers got the scoring started early against Zack Greinke as AJ Pollock slugged a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning, his 10th of the season.
While Greinke then settled in for a few innings, they were able to get to him again in the fifth to break the game open. Neither Cody Bellinger nor Chris Taylor hit the ball hard, but they both got hits to begin the inning.
Kiké Hernandez then drove them in with a two-run single to left field. Mookie Betts was able to cap off the rally with a two-run homer, going to the opposite field for his 15th of the season. Betts is now just one away from tying the Major League lead for home runs.
With the Dodgers looking to add some insurance in the bottom of the eighth, Max Muncy singled with one out to give them a baserunner, followed by a double off the bat of Will Smith.
That set the stage for Chris Taylor, who launched a three-run home run halfway up the pavilion in left-center field to put the game out of reach at 8-1. Taylor’s fifth home run of the season traveled an estimated 420 feet and was his second in as many games.
Jansen gets back on track in bullpen game
The main reason the Dodgers lost the series opener was because closer Kenley Jansen was not able to hold a three-run lead in the ninth inning. Manager Dave Roberts went back to him again on Sunday and he was able to bounce back with a 1-2-3 inning to finish it out.
Roberts said the plan heading into the night was to pitch Jansen regardless of the situation. He was the final reliever to throw for the Dodgers in what was a bullpen game, and they were all great.
Including Brusdar Graterol as the opener, eight different relievers combined to allow just one run in nine innings, striking out 10 compared to just one walk.
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