The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t show any hangover effects from clinching the National League West as they started their final series of the regular season by cruising to an 11-4 win over the Colorado Rockies.
Before the Dodgers began slugging their way to a comfortable victory, Landon Knack and Kyle Freeland engaged in a standoff once the national anthem concluded. Neither pitcher budged for a few minutes, but home-plate umpire Chad Fairchild walked over to Knack and instructed him to walk into the dugout.
Knack appeared to playfully question why Fairchild wouldn’t deliver the same message to Freeland, but relented and the game began.
Teoscar Hernández opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the first inning that gave him a career-high-tying 32 on the season.
If you missed it earlier, Landon Knack and Kyle Freeland were locked into a battle before the game started.
(🎥: @JomboyMedia) pic.twitter.com/cAonN0gggf— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 28, 2024
Teoscar Hernández has tied his career high in home runs with 32.
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/KhLILA0LIZ— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 28, 2024
After the Rockies cut the Dodgers’ lead in half, they responded in the second inning with RBI singles from Chris Taylor and Shohei Ohtani. Taylor then scampered home on a double steal with Ohtani taking second base.
Shohei Ohtani, always setting records.
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/vRrwQK2cvk— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 28, 2024
The Sho continues even after clinching.
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/tUVRsiggfU— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 28, 2024
That gave Ohtani the MLB record for most stolen bases by a Japanese-born player, as he broke a tie with Ichiro Suzuki.
Andy Pages’ solo home run extended the Dodgers’ lead in the fourth inning and Ohtani punctuated his big night with a three-run blast in the sixth.
Friday was the 13th game this season Hernández and Ohtani have both hit a home run in. That’s second-most in Dodgers franchise history, behind the duo of Duke Snider and Gil Hodges combining for the feat 14 times in 1953.
Dodgers magic number
The Dodgers’ magic number for not only the top seed in the NL but best record in baseball is now down to one. Should they win on Saturday or Sunday, or if the Philadelphia Phillies lose either of their two remaining games, the Dodgers will secure home-field advantage through the World Series.
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