The Los Angeles Dodgers picked up a second consecutive win against the San Diego Padres to guarantee themselves at least a series split at Dodger Stadium. They additionally moved to 3.5 games ahead of the Padres for first place in the National League West.
Tony Gonsolin went a career-best 7.2 innings and held the Padres to just one run. That came on a Trent Grisham homer in the fifth inning. Gonsolin faced some trouble in the eighth inning when Grisham led off with a double, which led to Manny Machado pinch-hitting.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stuck with his right-hander, and Gonsolin rewarded that trust by striking out Machado. Roberts then brought the hook rather than allow Gonsolin to face Jurickson Profar, who already had two doubles on the night.
“His growth has been exponential,” Roberts said of Gonsolin after the 5-1 win. “Even being able to take down 27 hitters is a big deal.
“In the Machado spot, like I said before, he’s understanding how to navigate a lineup and understanding to see them once, twice and even three times, how to get through the lineup a third time. It was a good at-bat. It was good to see that sequence with Machado.”
How many pitches did he need? One Max. pic.twitter.com/GVjEtGwdqe
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 2, 2022
Belli did that. pic.twitter.com/qPtC5ibkT8
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 2, 2022
Cat got your tongue? pic.twitter.com/Wv51yN4YBK
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 2, 2022
Gonsolin became the first 10-game winner in the National League this season and is the first Dodgers pitcher to begin a season 10-0 since Alex Wood in 2017. The outing also marked an eighth time in 15 starts this season Gonsolin has gone at least six innings, and his first career time reaching the eighth.
Dodgers run support for Gonsolin
While Blake Snell collected 12 strikeouts over five innings, he faced a deficit after allowing a solo home run to Max Muncy.
Cody Bellinger broke up the tie with a solo homer in the sixth inning, and Freddie Freeman added an RBI double in the seventh. Bellinger then helped the Dodgers create more separation with a sacrifice fly in the eighth and Austin Barnes added an RBI groundout.
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