The Los Angeles Dodgers squandered several opportunities in the opener of their six-game homestand but Mookie Betts continued to provide a spark and it ultimately resulted in taking a late lead en route to a 2-1 win over the Miami Marlins.
Tyler Anderson bounced back from a tough-luck loss to hold the Marlins to one run over seven innings. He was efficient throughout the night and faced minimal trouble.
One of those instances came in the third inning when a single and walk put two on with one out. Anderson wiggled out of the small jam by inducing a groundout and getting Miguel Rojas looking.
The Marlins had another reach scoring position on Peyton Burdick’s two-out double in the fifth inning, but Anderson retired Jerar Encarnacion to keep the game locked in a scoreless tie.
Miami threatened again in the seventh inning after Jacob Stallings led off with a double, and this time cashed it in as Encarnacion delivered a two-out extra-base hit.
While that was the only run Anderson allowed, his stellar performance was effectively matched by Jesus Luzardo.
Mookie Betts made an immediate impact in his return to the Dodgers lineup after getting a day of rest by going 3-for-4. Betts doubled and hit a single in his first two at-bats, and nearly put L.A. ahead with a solo home run in the sixth inning but his fly ball was caught at the wall in left field.
Betts’ double led off the bottom of the first inning, and his single put two on with one out in the third. The Dodgers were turned away both times. Luzardo pitched into the sixth before giving way to Steve Okert with one out.
Luzarod was responsible for Justin Turner being at first base after his leadoff single, and wound up being charged for the run when Trayce Thompson tied the game on a two-out RBI double.
Betts capped off his big night with a jam-shot to right field that fell and rolled to the wall for a triple due in large part to Brian Anderson taking a poor route. Sloppy Marlins defense then cost them on a Will Smith grounder to third base that allowed Betts to score.
Jon Berti made a diving stop and went to throw home, only to find Stallings had taken a few steps up the baseline. It could be reasoned Stallings anticipated Berti starting a potential inning-ending double play.
With Craig Kimbrel having pitched back-to-back games from Aug. 16-17, he received another game off. Evan Phillips completed the save, aided by Thompson making a leaping catch at the wall in center field for the first out of the inning.
Dodgers welcoming back Dustin May
The Dodgers plan to activate Dustin May off the 60-day injured list on Saturday to face the Marlins. With May returning from Tommy John surgery, the Dodgers temporarily will utilize a six-man rotation.
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