For as much as the Los Angeles Dodgers have struggled thus far, the past two-plus weeks have been particularly deflating. They lost a series to the San Diego Padres, were swept in four games by the Cincinnati Reds, then salvaged a three-game set against the Miami Marlins with a win in the finale.
Their road trip then called for a weekend series with the Washington Nationals, which was delayed in beginning because of inclement weather. The Dodgers started with an encouraging 4-1 victory, giving them back-to-back wins since taking three straight from May 2-4.
Adversity struck again in the nightcap of the twin bill, as Rich Hill was removed after throwing just two pitches in the first inning because the blister in the middle finger of his left hand split open.
The Dodgers were already out to a 1-0 lead when Hill was removed, and they tacked on a run in the fifth inning. But the Nationals rallied to take a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth. Cody Bellinger’s solo home run in the eighth cut the Dodgers’ deficit in half.
Consecutive base hits by Austin Barnes and Logan Forsythe put the tying runs on base with nobody out in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Matt Kemp then delivered a go-ahead, two-run double off Nationals closer Sean Doolittle to give the Dodgers a decided 5-4 advantage.
Considering how much the team has struggled, Kemp felt the Dodgers sweeping the doubleheader was a significant accomplishment, according to Ben Standing on MLB.com:
“It’s a buildup. We haven’t been playing as good as we’re capable of playing. Today we beat two good pitchers in one day. That’s a pretty big day for us.”
That it was Kemp who delivered the clutch hit was fitting considering he’s been the Dodgers’ best hitter for much of the season. Only a recent skid knocked him from leading the National League in batting average.
He enters play Sunday hitting .313/.350/.500 with 10 doubles, five home runs and 20 RBI. That type of production is not something many would have predicted when the Dodgers acquired Kemp in a salary-motivated trade with the Atlanta Braves during the offseason.
