On a night when offense was at a premium, the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied late to come away with a 3-2 win in extra innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
Trailing 1-0 in the ninth, the Dodgers pulled even when Mookie Betts took Diamondbacks right-hander Kevin Ginkel deep for his 12th home run of the season.
Arizona went on to reclaim the lead in the top of the 10th with a bases-loaded walk, but L.A. again answered back. A Chris Taylor sacrifice bunt and throwing error by Junior Guerra allowed Max Muncy to score from second base.
Muncy of course began the frame in scoring position as part of the new extra-innings rule this season. Two batters later, Taylor would score the winning run courtesy of Will Smith’s RBI single.
“We’ve got to score one, for sure. After that, there’s no telling what happens,” Betts said. “Tying it up was the most important thing. We were able to score one, [Muncy and Taylor] traded places and at that point we had them against the ropes and we were able to finish them off.”
With the victory, the Dodgers extended their winning streak to four games. They also improved to 3-1 in extra-inning contests this season.
“It’s whatever. The games seem like they go a little quicker,” Betts said of the new extra-innings rule. “It’s not 15-inning games and we’re not all just trying to hit home runs.
“I think it definitely brings different aspects of the game back into the game, like the bunt and moving runners, guys trying to put the ball in play in different areas and whatnot. It’s definitely a pretty cool experience, for sure.”
The new format was one of many changes that came to MLB this season. It was previously tested in the Minors and designed to shortened the length of games.
As for whether he would be open to the rule returning next season, Betts left it up to the league. “I don’t think I have much say so in it, so whatever they say we have to do,” he said.
Dave Roberts managing differently in extra innings
The new extra-innings format has forced Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to think outside the box and revert back to a traditional season in some regard.
“I think there’s a lot of different variables that come into play: home-road, who’s hitting, who’s behind the hitter, who’s on second base, who’s pitching,” he said of managing in extra innings.
“It’s kind of the ins and outs of baseball, game within the game. I actually kind of like that style.”
Justin Turner and Kenley Jansen are among the Dodgers who aren’t quite as sold on the change for 2020.
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