The Los Angeles Dodgers are officially on a winning streak after a two-game sweep against the Los Angeles Angels and a series-opening victory against the Houston Astros on Friday night.
In a battle of the rookies with Emmet Sheehan going for the Dodgers and J.P. France starting for the Astros, the game turned into a pitchers duel, with L.A. prevailing 3-2.
Mookie Betts opened the scoring with a leadoff home run, his 18th long ball of the season, to put the Dodgers up 1-0. Betts now has 43 career leadoff homers of which seven have come this season, which leads MLB.
From there, Betts extended the lead in the bottom of the second when the Dodgers loaded the bases and he hit a sacrifice fly to drive in James Outman.
A Mookie leadoff homer? That's what he does. pic.twitter.com/plqxrdMyOv
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 24, 2023
Michael Busch doubles to get the lead back, but only one run as Miguel Rojas is cut down. pic.twitter.com/3NyiS20B0K
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) June 24, 2023
Grove's two scoreless innings on just 19 pitches. pic.twitter.com/SVydzhyA6h
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) June 24, 2023
Victory formation!
Dodgers x @Yaamava pic.twitter.com/NmBRLWDTNv
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 24, 2023
Mauricio Dubón put the Astros on the board in the fourth with a solo home run before Kyle Tucker made it back-to-back blasts, which tied the game at 2-2.
The Dodgers rallied in the bottom of the fourth inning when James Outman singled and Miguel Rojas walked. That was followed by a double from Michael Busch that allowed Outman to score, making the game 3-2, but Rojas was thrown out at home.
Neither offense produced any more runs following that fourth inning.
Sheehan ended up pitching six innings for the second consecutive time in his two starts, giving up just two earned runs while striking out four and walking two. That performance gave the 23-year-old his first career win.
Following Sheehan, Michael Grove pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Although he was originally set to start or pitch the bulk of the game on Wednesday against the Angels, the Dodgers opted to use a full bullpen game, which put Grove’s role up in the air.
Brusdar Graterol was given the save opportunity as the club was trying to stay away from using Evan Phillips. Graterol delivered by pitching a perfect inning to earn his fourth save of the year.
James Outman stands out for Dodgers
Although Outman has struggled since his red-hot April, he went 3-for-4 with two runs scored against the Astros. Outman is now hitting .348/.348/.348 in his last seven games.
The lack of slugging is concerning, but it’s still a step in the right direction after he hit .165/.261/.291 in May.
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