The Los Angeles Dodgers started a rare five-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 5-2 win to clinch a first-round bye and begin the 2022 MLB postseason in the National League Division Series.
Clayton Kershaw came out firing early and retired the first five batters faced. That streak was snapped by Carson Kelly’s single in the second inning, which was followed by a base hit from Jordan Luplow. Kershaw then retired Daulton Varsho to keep the game scoreless.
Kershaw struck out the side in the third inning and first two batters in the fourth en route to again retiring the side in order. Arizona finally broke through in the fifth inning, when Geraldo Perdomo beat out a potential double play to bring a run in.
That was all Kershaw allowed over six innings. He completed a start with at least 10 strikeouts against zero walks for the 27th time in his career.
JOEY GALLO OBLITERATED THIS BALL. pic.twitter.com/zZTQYhq0Pp
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 20, 2022
CT for three! pic.twitter.com/zc8uT668vI
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 20, 2022
Cupid Shuffle playing at Dodger Stadium?
Dave Roberts: say lesspic.twitter.com/UdbEKkIWdO
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 20, 2022
Classic Kersh. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KJ8qZeKzZq
— MLB (@MLB) September 20, 2022
Wow, Gavin. pic.twitter.com/xxoXmsODE9
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 20, 2022
Joey Gallo’s 437-foot solo home run gave the Dodgers a lead in the bottom of the second inning, and Chris Taylor extended it to 5-0 with a three-run homer in the fourth. Taylor initially was credited with a two-run double, but the Dodgers successfully challenged the call.
In addition to on the near double play in the fifth inning, replay later hurt the Dodgers when Gavin Lux’s would-be RBI single was overturned in the eighth.
Lux nevertheless finished with a three-hit night in his second game back from a neck injury and he helped Craig Kimbrel limit the damage in the ninth inning by making a terrific diving stop for the start of a double play with the bases loaded.
Dave Roberts dances in Dodgers dugout
With his team closing in on their 102nd win of the season, manager Dave Roberts danced in the Dodgers dugout while DJ Severe played “Cupid Shuffle.”
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