Roki Sasaki rode momentum from his start against the New York Yankees last week to turn in another impressive outing and Kyle Tucker provided a big swing late to help the Los Angeles Dodgers earn a win at Citi Field.
With that, the Dodgers improved their MLB-best record to 66-38. The Dodgers’ 32nd comeback win this season is tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for most in baseball. They also are 5-2 on the road trip and have an opportunity to secure a series win over the New York Mets on Saturday.
Dodgers 4, Mets 2: key takeaways
Roki Sasaki’s start
Starting in New York borough for the second time in a row, Sasaki once again flashed some of the promise that has kept the Dodgers committed to his developmental process.
Sasaki allowed a solo home run in the second inning but only two other hits. The right-hander completed seven innings for the second time in his Major League career.
Sasaki’s fastball velocity was in the 98-99 mph range, down from last week, but he set a new career high with 21 whiffs. That bested his previous mark of 19. An overwhelming number of those — 15 to be exact — came on his splitter. Sasaki also struck out the side for the first time, and it was part of a string of four consecutive strikeouts.
Dodgers manufacture offense
Singles by Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts put runners at the corners with nobody out in the fourth inning, and Miguel Rojas’ sacrifice fly tied the game. Freeman’s double in the sixth inning nearly led to another Rojas sac fly but the All-Star first baseman was thrown out at the plate.
The Dodgers again had runners at the corners in the seventh inning thanks to singles by Kyle Tucker and Teoscar Hernández. Tucker ran into an out on Dalton Rushing’s squeeze attempt, but Shohei Ohtani’s sacrifice fly gave the Dodgers their first lead of the night.
Kyle Tucker multi-hit game
Mired in season-long scuffles, Tucker went 2-for-3 with a walk and two-run home run. The multi-hit game was Tucker’s first since July 6 and his third of the month.
The home run was Tucker’s eighth of the season, first since June 27, and proved to be the difference in the Dodgers’ win. Tucker’s homer also was the Dodgers’ only hit with runners in scoring position as they went 1-for-13 in such at-bats.
Juan Soto’s injury
The Mets pinch-hit for Juan Soto in the bottom of the sixth inning when the game was still tied, which suggested an injury. The Mets later announced Soto was removed due to left calf soreness.
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