The Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled a new-look lineup with Trea Turner in the leadoff spot, and ultimately his presence along with the length of the order propelled the team to a 5-3 win over the L.A. Angels.
After drawing a walk to start the bottom of the first inning, Turner showed incredible speed as he scored on Max Muncy’s double to the left-center field gap. Turner’s 30.6 feet per second around the bases was impressive, but a hair below his season average (30.7 feet/second).
Corey Seager tacked on an RBI base hit before Angels starter Jaime Barria could get through the inning.
The Dodgers then squandered multiple opportunities as they stranded at least one baserunner from the third through fifth innings. Perhaps most costly was having two in scoring position with one out in the fourth, only for Cody Bellinger’s woes to continue as he popped-out and Julio Urias be robbed of a hit.
Trea with the wheels! pic.twitter.com/ZmDZpDdsnu
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 8, 2021
BELLI TIE GAME. pic.twitter.com/QE8rrenadr
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 8, 2021
Brusdar? Sho stopper. pic.twitter.com/2HbaUpTNr5
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 8, 2021
CHRIS TAYLOR. THAT IS ALL. pic.twitter.com/oYINl0dkFr
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 8, 2021
Bellinger made up for his at-bat in the seventh inning by chasing Barria with a game-tying solo home run that knocked Barria out of the game.
Singles by Corey Seager and Will Smith wound up setting the table for Chris Taylor to deliver what held as a game-winning, two-run double in the eighth.
Dodgers bullpen steps up
After Urias labored to get through five innings, the Dodgers bullpen backed him by keeping the Angels off the scoreboard.
Brusdar Graterol electrified Dodger Stadium by striking out pinch-hitter Shohei Ohtani to end the eighth inning and strand two runners. Kenley Jansen followed that by working a perfect inning on a second consecutive night.
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