With Tarik Skubal speculation continuing to swirl around as the MLB trade deadline approaches on Aug. 3, the Los Angeles Dodgers maintained their standing with the best record in baseball by defeating the Seattle Mariners.
The Dodgers snapping their two-game losing streak came one night after the Mariners secured their first win at Dodger Stadium since June 28, 2009.
Dodgers 4, Mariners 2: key takeaways
Eric Lauer shines
Days after being named as a potential trade candidate, Eric Lauer provided the Dodgers with yet another quality start. Wednesday’s outing was arguably his best yet, as the left-hander allowed just one hit over six shutout innings.
Mariners leadoff man Cole Young was the only batter who reached against Lauer. He singled with one out in the third inning and drew a walk in the sixth.
Lauer kept the Mariners off balance by expanding the strike zone and leaning heavily on his cutter. He also retired the leadoff man in every inning.
The Dodgers have now won all nine games (eight starts) Lauer has pitched in.
No. 2 hitter Andy Pages
One aspect of their lineup the Dodgers have not been able to solve this season is finding consistent production from who bats second. That’s been Andy Pages since June 9, and he too has fallen victim to struggling once moved into that spot in the Dodgers lineup.
Manager Dave Roberts said prior to the game he was pleased with Pages’ “overall body of work” this season but had given thought to a potential change.
Hours later, Pages hit a home run in his first at-bat to give the Dodgers an early lead and proceeded to finish 3-for-4 with two RBI.
Shohei Ohtani remaining in lineup
Amid ongoing questions about Shohei Ohtani’s health, which he revealed includes still dealing with discomfort in his right bicep, he’s continued filling the designated hitter role.
Ohtani hasn’t hit to his level of expectation in the second half but looked more like himself on Wednesday. Ohtani reached base safely three times and had one RBI in the Dodgers’ win.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman reiterated the organization’s expectation that Ohtani will resume pitching at some point this season and the left knee is not an issue when he hits or runs the bases.
Edwin Díaz returns
Fresh off the 60-day injured list, Edwin Díaz gave up two doubles and one run before converting his fifth save of the season. The appearance was Díaz’s first since April 19 and having surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow.
The game also was Edwin Díaz bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium.
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