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Dodgers Highlights: Chris Taylor & Mookie Betts Key Hits; James Outman Robs Paul Goldschmidt

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Joe Puetz/USA TODAY Sports

One night after the St. Louis Cardinals hit seven home runs in a blowout win at Busch Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back to pitch a shutout in a 5-0 win.

Tony Gonsolin led the strong effort from the mound by throwing a season-high 94 pitches over five innings. Gonsolin became the first Dodgers starting pitcher to provide as much length since he also went five frames on May 14.

Whether Gonsolin would snap a four-game streak of a Dodgers starter going four innings or fewer appeared to be in danger early, but he settled in and got more efficient after some early shakiness.

Gonsolin exited with a 1-0 lead thanks to Chris Taylor’s two-out RBI double in the fifth inning. Prior to Taylor’s extra-base hit, the Dodgers had left at least one runner on in each of the first four innings.

The Dodgers’ lead remained 1-0 until Mookie Betts provided insurance with a three-run homer in the eighth inning. The home run was Betts’ 10th of the season and sixth in the month of Mookie.

Freddie Freeman followed with a double and Will Smith cashed that in on an RBI single.

Dodgers defense shines

The Dodgers’ infield defense has been shaky at times this season, but Miguel Rojas made a leaping catch to snag a line drive, made another impressive stop for a force out and helped turn a double play. The Cardinals only mustered two hits on the night.

In the sixth inning, James Outman put his athleticism on display by robbing Paul Goldschmidt of what would have been a game-tying solo home run off Brusdar Graterol.

Outman’s catch was reminiscent of Cody Bellinger robbing Fernando Tatís Jr. of a home run in the 2020 National League Division Series, which Graterol also was on the mound for.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com