The Los Angeles Dodgers departed on a five-game road trip looking to leave their offensive woes behind at Dodger Stadium. They scored just 11 runs en route to going 1-6 on their seven-game homestand, with the lone winning coming behind a Clayton Kershaw complete-game shutout in 1-0 victory.
Compacting matters, Kershaw drove in the lone run with a RBI single after A.J. Ellis doubled. Tuesday presented the Dodgers with an opportunity to use a designated hitter in place of a pitcher batting as they began Interleague play.
After falling behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first, the Dodgers answered back with three runs in the second inning. They proceeded to string together hits throughout the game, and Scott Kazmir pitched well enough in a 10-5 win.
The offense was led in part by home runs from Trayce Thompson, Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the big offensive night was key for his club, according to Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register:
“We really needed this night, I think, for their confidence,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Hitting is contagious. Hopefully it can carry over to tomorrow.”
Although he did not hit a home run, Howie Kendrick’s performance on Tuesday certainly provided a spark. He broke out of a slump by going 4-for-5 with one double, two RBIs and two runs scored. The two-run double in the fifth inning was Kendrick’s first extra-base hit and RBI of the season.
Thompson turned in a career night, collecting a two-run single in addition to a two-run homer. Puig finished the night 2-for-5 with the three-run homer and two runs scored. The Dodgers combined for 13 hits and were 3-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
