The Los Angeles Dodgers concluded their six-game road trip with a wild affair on Sunday that’s indicative of the drama-filled atmosphere that’s often seen at Coors Field. With a 12-10 comeback win, sparked by a five-run ninth-inning rally, the Dodgers finished 4-2 on their road trip.
They now return home Monday to open a four-game set with the Miami Marlins. It marks the first meeting between the two National League clubs, and Don Mattingly’s first visit to Dodger Stadium since agreeing with the Dodgers on a mutual separation after the 2015 season.
Mattingly went 446-363 in his five seasons as Dodgers manager, increasing the club’s win total in each of the first four seasons. He guided Los Angeles to three straight NL West titles, which was a first in franchise history.
Additionally, the Dodgers won a minimum of 90 games in each of the past three seasons — a first since 1976-78. Mattingly said recently he was proud of what was accomplished during his tenure in Los Angeles.
With their former manager on the verge of stepping foot in the stadium he once called home, A.J. Ellis and Adrian Gonzalez are among those who hope Mattingly will be greeted warmly, via J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News Group:
“I hope it’s positive,” said catcher A.J. Ellis.
“He should get a really good one,” first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said.
“He’ll get cheered,” Dodgers pitcher J.P. Howell said. “It’s Don Mattingly, you know?”
Dee Gordon, Matt Kemp and Juan Uribe serve as recent case studies who received plenty of applause in their first game back at Dodger Stadium. For Kemp, that was on Opening Day of the 2015 season, and he also heard some boos.
Miami enters Monday’s game in fourth place in the NL East with a 6-11 record, and 3-7 in their last 10 games.
