The Los Angeles Dodgers received a stellar performance from Jack Flaherty and put together enough offense to come away with a 4-0 win against the Cleveland Guardians in the rubber match of their series at Dodger Stadium.
Pitching under record-tying weather at Dodger Stadium of 103 degrees, Flaherty answered the bell for the Dodgers and provided the bullpen with a needed break. He filled an ace role by throwing 92 pitches over 7.1 shutout innings.
It was the first time Flaherty pitched into eighth inning since Sep. 19, 2019. Flaherty exited with a runner on base, who was stranded by Michael Kopech. He also came out of the game with the Dodgers leading 2-0 thanks to Will Smith and Shohei Ohtani.
Hopefully the weather helps Will Smith heat up.
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/71uKdkPJe8— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 8, 2024
Shohei Ohtani is:
1 HR away from a career-high
3 HR away from tying the #Dodgers record and becoming the all-time leader by Asian-born players
4 HR away from 50 and setting the #Dodgers franchise record
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/hSG6njhD8m
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 8, 2024
💯+1
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/WExVjMEbDp— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 8, 2024
Maximum Muncy.
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/T03oGCPno4— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 8, 2024
Smith’s RBI single in the fourth inning cashed in Mookie Betts’ leadoff double, and Ohtani crushed his 46th home run of the season in the fifth. Smith led all players with three hits in the game.
Betts’ triple extended his hitting streak to eight games and he’s reached base safely 13 in a row.
Ohtani’s home run had an exit velocity of 116.7 mph and traveled an estimated 450 feet as it hit off the Stadium Club down the right-field line.
Ohtani now has 12 home runs this season of at least 440 feet, which is tied with Joc Pederson for most in a Dodgers career in the Statcast era (since 2015).
Max Muncy provided some insurance with a solo home run in the eighth inning and Chris Taylor added an RBI single.
In seven starts for the Dodgers, Flaherty is now 5-1 with a 2.61 ERA.
Dodgers magic number
The Dodgers’ magic number to clinch the National League West is down to 13. The San Diego Padres lost Sunday and are six games back of first place in the division.
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