The Los Angeles Dodgers jumped on Anthony DeSclafani early and rode that momentum to a 7-2 win against the San Francisco Giants in Game 4 of the National League Division Series. The Dodgers staved off elimination and forced a winner-take-all Game 5 at Oracle Park on Thursday night.
After a Corey Seager base hit, Trea Turner’s RBI double provided the Dodgers with a lead in the first inning. Singles by Gavin Lux and Cody Bellinger then set the table in the second inning for Chris Taylor, who lifted a sacrifice fly to left field.
DeSclafani later allowed a base hit to Mookie Betts and failed to make it out of the second inning. Betts added to the lead with a two-run home run in the fourth, and drove in another with a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
Will Smith then broke the game open in the eighth inning with a two-run home run. It marked Smith’s fourth career postseason homer, which tied him with Roy Campanella for second-most by a Dodgers catcher in franchise history.
Corey single, Trea double! pic.twitter.com/IMbNhzSdI7
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 13, 2021
YARD? MOOKIE SAID BETTS. pic.twitter.com/iPwL4oTlmz
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 13, 2021
Earth, Will & Fire! pic.twitter.com/RD99NCTDH4
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 13, 2021
Needed to force Game 5 and @buehlersdayoff delivered. pic.twitter.com/2vFmuyNeig
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 13, 2021
The run support was more than enough for Walker Buehler and Dodgers bullpen. Starting on short rest for the first time in his career, Buehler was charged for just one run over 4.1 innings. It was scored on an RBI groundout after Buehler gave way to Joe Kelly.
The Dodgers’ bullpen didn’t allow another run until the eight inning — again on a groundball out.
Dodgers confident in Urias
Now having pushed the NLDS as far as it can go, the Dodgers hope to receive another big-game performance from Julio Urias.
“Julio is a great competitor,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “The moment doesn’t get too big for him.”
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