The Los Angeles Dodgers trailed for most of the night on Tuesday but staged a late rally and came away with a 3-2 walk-off win against the Detroit Tigers thanks to Max Muncy delivering heroics.
The Dodgers fell into an immediate deficit as Caleb Ferguson gave up a solo home run to Spencer Torkelson, but he otherwise struck out three in the first inning. The start was Ferguson’s fifth time pitching as an opener this season.
He was followed by Ryan Pepiot pitching six innings and also surrendering a solo homer.
The Dodgers faced a 2-0 deficit until the fourth inning, when J.D. Martinez hit his third home run in the past two games. Martinez is now up to 29 homers this season and has been encouraged by his health of late.
Just Dingers, so hot right now. pic.twitter.com/QQfpWabUAW
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 20, 2023
What a moment. 🥹
After seven years apart living in Venezuela, Brusdar’s mother watched her son pitch for the first time as a Major Leaguer. pic.twitter.com/nUUJZpxeGb
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 20, 2023
Tie game! 🚂 pic.twitter.com/Ekzgj1lsTa
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 20, 2023
There's no quit in this team! pic.twitter.com/jkYVcf0dcY
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 20, 2023
Max excitement for tonight's hero! pic.twitter.com/NPDRKOzIc1
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 20, 2023
The Tigers’ bullpen game then kept the Dodgers at bay until David Peralta’s ground-rule RBI double tied it in the eight inning. Peralta’s hit was preceded by Chris Taylor pinch-running for Martinez and stealing second base off Alex Lange, the Tigers’ closer.
Lange then worked himself into trouble in the ninth by hitting Will Smith with a pitch to put two on with two outs. That set the table for Muncy’s walk-off base hit that scored Mookie Betts just ahead of the throw.
While the night ended in excitement thanks to Muncy, it was an emotional one for Brusdar Graterol as he pitched in a Major League game with his mother in attendance for the first time.
Can Dodgers catch the Braves?
The Dodgers’ magic number for a first-round bye and the No. 2 seed in the National League postseason bracket is down to three. They also mathematically remain alive for the best record in the NL, though it still is somewhat of a long shot as the Dodgers are 3.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves.
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