Tony Gonsolin labored through his worst start of the season but the Los Angeles Dodgers set a National League record and avoided their first series loss of the year with a 7-2 win over the Texas Rangers.
The Dodgers are now 9-0-3 through 12 series this season. The 1990 Cincinnati Reds hold the MLB record without a loss in 17 consecutive series to start a season. The 1977 Dodgers hold the franchise record and are tied with the with the ’97 Baltimore Orioles for the second-longest streak of 14 such series.
This year’s L.A. avoided a series loss behind a home run in each of the first three innings and scoring in the first four. Corey Seager’s solo shot in the first gave the Dodgers an early lead, Will Smith added to it in the second, and Cody Bellinger gave the Dodgers the NL record in the third.
His home run was their 57th in the month of August, breaking the mark set by the Atlanta Braves in June 2019. The previous Dodgers franchise record was 55 home runs hit in June 2018.
Their homer barrage ended with Bellinger’s record-setter, but Mookie Betts padded the lead with a two-out RBI single that skipped off Rangers starter Kyle Gibson’s glove and carried into right field. Betts’ sacrifice fly created more separation in the sixth.
After staking Gonsolin a 4-0 lead, he suddenly lost command and had to grind through a 39-pitch third inning. Back-to-back singles were followed by a walk to load the bases with nobody out. A wild pitch brought in a run — the first he’s allowed all season — and Gonsolin then issued another walk.
To his credit, Gonsolin retired the next three batters to limit the damage to just one run. However, that wound up being his final inning of work.
A couple of singles and sacrifice fly led to the Rangers scoring a run off Victor Gonzalez in the fourth, but the Dodgers bullpen otherwise turned in scoreless work.
Lux gets on the board
Gavin Lux made a second consecutive start since being recalled, and he collected his first hit of the season with a two-out base hit in the fourth inning. Lux finished 2-for-4 with a double.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!
