The Los Angeles Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners with a win in the finale on Wednesday, exploding at the plate in an 8-4 victory.
Facing one of the best pitching staffs in Major League Baseball, the Dodgers put together a trio of wins that had bright spots in each phase of the game. Starting pitching, bullpen usage, and a return to the offense that has the ability to give opponents fits.
The Mariners’ pitching staff has allowed fewer runs than any unit in the league, but they were swept after allowing 17 combined runs over three games in a terrific showing from the Dodgers.
“You look at the length of lineup, and what we did with those starters this series was a clinic,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “You could argue that that starting staff over there is tops in baseball. Grinding those guys, getting to the pen, like I said, was one of our more impressive three-game series, as far as beating the starter.”
Having to outlast the rigors of the regular season with slumps offensively and key pieces to the lineup out with injury, the Dodgers seem to be in the spot in their season where it is all coming together.
The Dodgers made a few trades at this year’s trade deadline to solidify their roster, making Roberts’ decision-making with an everyday lineup also having a confident feeling that they’re capable of being a force.
“And I think that when you look at nine guys that you can run out there that are going to compete, put at-bats together, put the ball in play, it’s taxing on a pitcher,” Roberts added. “And so that’s kind of how this roster was built.
“And so now we’re getting the pieces back to health. And so when it comes and you can kind of see it in action, you’re seeing the fruits of it. Tonight it was Max, Mookie had a big hit, another big hit, and then it’s going to be Freddie, and it’s going to be Shohei, so just across the board.
“And I think also, Shohei is taking great at-bats, he’s taking walks, he’s hitting balls, swinging at balls that are in the strike zone and I think that when he looks in front of him, behind him, around him, that’s going to make him a better, more dangerous hitter.
“And so we have that now up and down the lineup. And even Will took a couple nice swings tonight. So if we get him on track, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
On Wednesday, the Dodgers forced right-hander Logan Gilbert out of the game after just 4.2 innings pitched. He came into the finale riding a 2.67 ERA over 13 starts since the beginning of June, and his six earned runs allowed were the most since early May.
The Dodgers showing their ability to score without relying on the home run ball was the offense showcasing their multifaceted ability.
“When we’re at our best, we’re wearing them down,” Max Muncy said. “He was at 100 pitches in the fifth inning and he was doing pretty well, but we just kept wearing him down.
“And for a guy to go out there and throw that many pitches every single night, all three guys that we faced, it just wears them down, and it gets the bullpen in the game and it allows us to be facing guys that we feel a lot better against. So it was fun to watch up and down the lineup.”
Jack Flaherty enjoying pitching for the Dodgers
Being able to pitch knowing that the surrounding lineup is capable of doing such damage must be a comforting feeling. With Jack Flaherty coming over at the trade deadline, he’s now had a taste of such protection on a few occasions.
“I mean, it’s as deep a lineup as you’re going to find,” Flaherty said. “Just one after the other. What they did to the pitching staff that Seattle has is impressive, and what they did to Gilbert tonight, there was just one after the other, relentless.
“It’s fun to watch, and sometimes when you’re pitching, you just end up watching, you forget that you’re throwing. It’s fun to watch all around.”
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