After dropping the opener in their return to Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers came back to defeat the Seattle Mariners in the next two games to win another series.
The series concluded on Thursday night, and the Dodgers were in control all game. They scored early, added on in the middle innings, and got an excellent pitching performance.
The Dodgers now turn their attention to another interleague matchup as they host the Boston Red Sox starting on Friday night.
Dodgers 6, Mariners 2: key takeaways
Dalton Rushing provides big swing
Mookie Betts started the scoring for the Dodgers in the first inning with a two-run double, which came with two outs in the inning. Tommy Edman walked and Andy Pages put runners at the corners with a single to start them off.
Dalton Rushing had the biggest swing of the game in the fourth inning when he launched a three-run homer after Kyle Tucker walked and Teoscar Hernández singled. That gave the Dodgers a 5-0 lead, and it was enough to give them the win.
But just for some insurance, Hernández launched a solo home run in the sixth inning to make it a 6-2 game.
Roki Sasaki excellent through five innings
Roki Sasaki continued to look like a quality MLB pitcher with five scoreless innings to start his night. Only three hitters reached base against Sasaki through those five innings and he stranded all of them.
Sasaki went back out for the sixth inning, but allowed a leadoff triple when Andy Pages slipped and let the ball roll to the wall. Randy Arozarena followed with an RBI double to get the Mariners on the board.
Sasaki followed that by walking the next hitter to put two on, and then recorded an out. However, another single loaded the bases and a walk brought in the second run.
That ended his night as Jack Dreyer took over with the bases still full. Dreyer recorded the next two outs, with some help from Freddie Freeman saving Betts from a throwing error.
Sasaki finished his night going 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and three walks.
Shohei Ohtani out of Dodgers lineup
Shohei Ohtani was not in the Dodgers lineup for their series finale, marking his first time not playing since the Fourth of July.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani missed the rubber match to get rest due to ongoing left knee soreness. Roberts added that Ohtani wanted to start in his usual designated hitter role, but the Dodgers felt it was best to keep him out of the lineup.
With Ohtani out, Kiké Hernández got his first start since returning from the injured list.
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