The Los Angeles Dodgers got off to a quick start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night, taking an early lead on Justin Turner’s solo home run in the first inning. Then Turner’s ground ball in third resulted in a Jake Lamb error that allowed a run to score.
Arizona answered back with three runs in the bottom of the third inning, however their 3-2 lead didn’t hold for long. Scott Van Slyke and Yasmani Grandal hit back-to-back singles with no outs in the fourth, and both came around to score on Chris Taylor’s triple to center field.
The extra-base hit was the start of a big night for Taylor, who was making just his fourth start with the Dodgers since joining the club via trade in the middle of June. The 25-year-old infielder followed with a double in his next at-bat, and a grand slam in the seventh inning.
The home run was Taylor’s first of his career. It also left him a single shy of hitting for the cycle. Taylor was given the green light by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to drop a bunt down if the opportunity presented itself.
With the Diamondbacks infield playing back, Taylor tried to bunt his way on, only for Arizona reliever Josh Collmenter to make the play for the second out in the eighth. Considering Los Angeles held a five-run lead at the time, Taylor’s decision could be perceived as a slight to their opponent.
Roberts explained why he didn’t view the matter as such, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“We’re up five runs in that situation, but you look at the scoreboard and see a five-run inning, a four-run inning, two three-run innings and to try to win in this park, you’ve to play by different rules,” said Roberts. “I thought it was a heady play and if executed better he’d have hit for the cycle.”
Taylor added the bunt attempt wasn’t completely out of the norm and said he’d give it another try in the future:
“I thought it was a good time,” said Taylor. “They had the third baseman back and it’s always been part of my game, regardless of the hits. In that situation again, I’d try it again. Unfortunately I didn’t have good angle and the pitcher made a nice play.”
With a career night now part of the picture, Taylor is batting .286/.318/.667 with one double, two triples, one home run and six RBIs over 11 games with the Dodgers.
