The Los Angeles Dodgers couldn’t solve rookie Ryne Nelson but found success against the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen to come away with a 6-0 win that officially clinched their 2022 MLB postseason berth.
Making just his second career start, Nelson held the Dodgers to two hits over six scoreless innings. Nelson didn’t allow a hit until Trayce Thompson’s one-out single in the third inning, and Trea Turner’s two-out triple in the sixth extended his hitting streak to 10 games and gave the Dodgers their first baserunner in scoring position.
Nelson followed that by intentionally walking Freddie Freeman before retiring Will Smith to keep the game scoreless. Nelson’s outing was the latest example of the Dodgers struggling against a pitcher without much experience at the Major League level.
“It’s kind of ironic that some of the guys that are unproven, we have a tougher time with,” manager Dave Roberts recently said.
“I think that just speaks to guys are trying to figure out tendencies and get in the box and trying to navigate their way through an at-bat versus you know a guy, you know what they’re going to bring, you know their strengths and how they’re going to attack you. I think for us, that sometimes is better.”
Kyle Nelson was first to appear out of the bullpen for the Diamondbacks, and he immediately faced a bases-loaded situation. That prompted another pitching but the Dodgers broke through on Trayce Thompson’s sacrifice fly. Cody Bellinger then attacked the first pitch he saw for a two-run double.
Mookie Betts broke the game open with a three-run home run in the ninth inning. That gave him 34 on the year, breaking Joc Pederson’s franchise record for most home runs from the leadoff spot in a single season.
Tyler Anderson did his part in the pitcher’s duel and outlasted Ryne Nelson by getting through seven shutout innings. Anderson scattered five hits, issued two walks and benefitted from inducing three double plays.
Dodgers magic number for NL West title
Monday’s win cut the Dodgers’ magic number number to clinch the National League West down to one. They can claim a ninth division title in the past 10 seasons with another win on Tuesday, or if the San Diego Padres lose to the Seattle Mariners.
First pitch at T-Mobile Park and Chase Field is 6:40 p.m. PT for both games.
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