The Los Angeles Dodgers won their 106th game of the season to tie their franchise win record backed by the strong start turned in by Michael Grove against a talented St. Louis Cardinals lineup.
The rookie pitched five innings while giving up just one run on three hits despite being sick.
“Can’t say enough about Michael,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the win. “He was under the weather but was determined to make the start. After that fifth inning, I just felt he gave us everything he had. I really tip my cap to him.”
Although the Dodgers could have chosen to give Tyler Anderson the ball on what was his originally scheduled start day or go with a bullpen game to replace Grove so he didn’t have to pitch while ill, Roberts said he “just wouldn’t give us that option.”
“I know a couple days ago, he was weak and didn’t feel good. We were kind of teetering, and he said [Saturday], ‘I’m going to figure it out and find a way to post,'” Roberts added.
“So we sent him home before the game (on Saturday) started, and he just kind of showed up and there were no side doors. He gave us everything he had.”
With his start, the right-hander earned his first career win in his sixth game and fifth start.
“I honestly don’t have that many decisions in my career, so getting a big league win, especially sharing it with Andre getting the save, was cool to watch,” Grove said. “I’m really, really excited about it.”
Grove has now pitched at least five innings in his last three starts, giving up no more than three earned runs in any of them. “It’s a lot easier now than it was the first time,” Grove said.
“I kind of had a higher heart rate the first couple times and then I’d have to settle down and start pitching. So it’s a lot more comfortable being with the guys and catchers as well. It’s a little bit easier now.”
Dodgers clinch top seed in National League playoffs
With the win, the Dodgers clinched the best record in the National League for the 2022 season and will have home-field advantage throughout the NL Championship Series.
Still in play for the Dodgers is the best record in baseball to secure home-field advantage through the World Series, which has their magic number at four.
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