Justin Turner was one of the few who found success against Max Scherzer but the Los Angeles Dodgers collectively worked long at-bats to get into the Washington Nationals bullpen in a seventh inning that saw them push across nine runs in a 10-5 win.
“I don’t think we got great results but I think we made him work and made him grind through his six innings,” said Turner, who hit a solo home run off Scherzer. “Getting him out of the game in six is definitely a victory. He’s known and wants to compete and go deep into games.
“I think we did a great job of getting his pitch count up, battling off some pitches with two strikes and even though we didn’t get great results, we got that pitch count up and got a chance to have three innings against the bullpen.”
The Dodgers now have won seven games in a row, which is their second-longest winning streak of the season. The impressive stretch has come after the San Diego Padres completed a series sweep at Petco Park and the Chicago Cubs threw a combined no-hitter at Dodger Stadium.
“Obviously going down to San Diego and getting swept, then coming up and getting no-hit in our first game back home isn’t ideal. But getting no-hit and losing a game only counts as one game,” Turner said.
“It’s not a week’s worth of losses, and that’s the beauty of this game. You get to take your lumps and then come back the next day and have an opportunity to win a ballgame. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of bouncing back after that four-game stretch.”
Turner also agreed with a sentiment Max Muncy expressed on Thursday of the Dodgers not yet playing to their full potential. “I think it’s definitely coming,” Turner said.
“Like I said, the at-bat quality has been there. The results haven’t always been there, and we fully anticipate those things swinging in the other direction for a lot of guys because we know the quality of ABs are there.”
Even with some of their struggles this season, the Dodgers’ 51 wins entering play Saturday is tied with the San Francisco Giants in the National League West and good for second-most in baseball.
White House visit ‘full circle’ for Turner
Prior to Turner and the Dodgers extending their winning streak, the team was welcomed to the White House by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to celebrate their 2020 World Series win.
“It was a special day. Obviously recognizing our accomplishments last year and celebrating our championship, but it really kind of came full circle for me,” Turner said.
“I got a chance to go back in 2005 when we won the College World Series, so getting to go back and celebrate a world championship versus a national championship, it’s pretty special. Those are two photographs that will probably be up in my house forever.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
