The Los Angeles Dodgers returned to the confines of Dodger Stadium after a 10-game road trip with a scheduled pregame ceremony for Tommy Lasorda’s 90th birthday. If matters broke in their favor, there also would be a fifth consecutive National League West title to celebrate.
So it went on Friday, Sept. 22, with a 4-2 win over the San Francisco Giants. Los Angeles fell behind in the first inning on a Buster Posey RBI single, then erased their deficit with a four-run third inning.
With Logan Forsythe on second base, Hill smacked a first-pitch fastball into the left-center field gap, rolling to the wall and allowing Forsythe to score. The RBI was Hill’s second in as many starts.
Cody Bellinger’s three-run homer put the Dodgers ahead, and gave him 39 home runs on the year. That broke the NL rookie record for most in a single season. Hill went on to pitch six strong innings, with just the one run allowed.
Pablo Sandoval hit solo home run off Kenley Jansen before the right-handed closer could convert the save opportunity. Jansen addressed his teammates in the clubhouse to remind them of the task at hand, then the champagne spraying ensued.
Honorable Mentions:
Aug. 23 – Rich Hill flirts with perfection and no-hitter
Prior to the Dodgers entering their 1-16 skid, Hill turned in an outing reminiscent of his performance last season at Marlins Park. He took a perfect game into the bottom of the ninth that was lost only on a Logan Forsythe error.
Hill shook off any disappointment and completed nine no-hit innings. His bid for history was washed away in the 10th inning, however, as Josh Harrison hit a walk-off home run. Hill put the loss on his shoulders, but it truly lied with the Dodgers offense that failed to scratch a single run across.
July 8 – Rally Granny captivates Dodger Stadium
The clash at Dodger Stadium between Los Angeles and Kansas City was another comeback victory for the Dodgers, but was outshined by a classic moment that gained fame overnight. The Dodgers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a Joc Pederson home run, then saw that lead slip when Salvador Perez hit a go-ahead solo home run in the top of the eighth.
With the Dodgers trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth, Cody Bellinger crushed an opposite-field homer. While the crowd was going wild celebrating what was turning into another comeback victory, the video board captured a moment that lives on in infamy.
Lifelong fan Betty True was seen dancing on the screen and upon noticing the camera was on her, she quickly flashed the crowed. So, ‘Rally Granny’ was born.
May 3 – Vin Scully inducted into Ring Of Honor
Although the Dodgers would fall by a score of 4-1 to the Giants, the events preceding the game are what were the main attraction. The Dodgers inducted Vin Scully into the Ring of Honor at Dodger Stadium, further paying their respect to a franchise legend.
Scully addressed the crowd to express his gratitude over being added to the ring, and played to their emotions by announcing his customary, ‘It’s time for Dodger baseball!’
