Joey Gallo contributed in the field and at the plate to help the Los Angeles Dodgers tie their franchise record for wins by defeating the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-1, in the series rubber match at Dodger Stadium.
Michael Grove completed five innings for a third consecutive start and earned his first career win. Grove held the Cardinals to just one run and was immediately aided by Gallo making a leaping catch at the wall in left field for the first out of the game.
The drive may not have carried out for a home run, but Gallo at minimum robbed Brendan Donovan of a leadoff extra-base hit.
He then helped the Dodgers extend their lead in the bottom of the first by drawing a two-out walk against Adam Wainwright with the bases loaded.
Joey said not today! pic.twitter.com/Xc7ABRIrIO
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 25, 2022
Praying mantis got the best seat in the house. pic.twitter.com/GM2RUA6gUn
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 25, 2022
JOEY CALLED GAME. pic.twitter.com/DYxY0k7dp8
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 25, 2022
Will Smith’s RBI single in the second inning put the Dodgers up 3-0, and Cody Bellinger’s double in the third drove a run in. Later in the game, Smith unknowingly had a praying mantis briefly land on his helmet during an at-bat.
Although Bellinger’s RBI double was the end of the scoring for the Dodgers, but between Grove and three relief pitchers, the lead was upheld. The game ended on Gallo making a diving catch in the left-center field gap. That helped Andre Jackson complete a three-inning save, the second of his career.
The Dodgers tied a franchise record with 106 wins, which was originally set in 2019 and matched last season.
Dodgers magic number
With the top seed in the National League playoffs sewn up, the Dodgers’ magic number for home-field advantage through the World Series is four.
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