Gavin Lux and Chris Taylor combined to generate plenty of offense for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 9-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals to snap their three-game losing streak.
Trevor Bauer and Jack Flaherty, Southern California natives and in the early race for this season’s National League Cy Young Award, both did their part early in an expected pitchers’ duel. Flaherty entered 1-1 with a 1.08 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers.
“I really enjoy watching him pitch and compete. He’s from Los Angeles County, so I’m sure he was a Dodger fan. Loves coming here in front of family and friends and putting his best foot forward,” manager Dave Roberts said of the Cardinals’ starter before the game.
“It’s a tall task, but I like our guy too. This is going to be a lot of good energy.”
Lux and Taylor provided the Dodgers with a 2-0 lead in the second inning by marking a third time this season the team has produced back-to-back home runs. Flaherty settled back in from there, which allowed the Cardinals to ultimately overcome their deficit.
The teams combined for only three hits through five innings but quickly added to that total in the sixth.
After Tommy Edman’s double to open the game, Bauer didn’t allow another hit until Justin Williams’ leadoff home run in the sixth inning. Zach McKinstry’s throwing error then put Edman on base with one out, and Bauer hung an 0-2 curveball that Dylan Carlson lifted the other way for a go-ahead home run.
Bauer wound up giving up a third homer in the game in the seventh inning. The long ball plagued him throughout April, and now again in back-to-back starts as he’s surrendered at least two in each outing.
The Cardinals removed Flaherty after just five innings due to left side tightness, and their bullpen faced immediate trouble. Ryan Helsley retired just one of three batters faced as he allowed a double to Max Muncy and single to Justin Turner.
Genesis Cabrera took over, only to walk Cody Bellinger and Will Smith, bringing in a run. Taylor then battled Cabrera in a 14-pitch at-bat that ended on a bases-clearing double to give the Dodgers a decided lead.
Lux slugged a second home run in the eighth inning, and Matt Beaty and Mookie Betts each drove in a run to create more separation and allow for the Dodgers to use Phil Bickford in the ninth rather than Kenley Jansen.
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