Dodgers rout Cubs as slumping bats break out in 12-run onslaught
Story by
Dodgers rout Cubs as slumping bats break out in 12-run onslaught
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (13) celebrates with outfielder Andy Pages (44) after hitting a two-run home run, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Alex Freeland (76) scoring a run, Image 3 shows Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki throws to the plate
In the fourth inning on Saturday, they finally looked like themselves again.
With a six-run rally keyed by quality at-bats, timely hits andthe kind of relentless approachthe team wants to pride itself on this season, theDodgersbuilt perhaps their best –– and most important –– inning at the plate all season, turning an early deficit into a massive lead en route to a 12-4 win over theChicago Cubs.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
“We broke out tonight,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Just up and down the lineup, a lot of good stuff.”
In the fourth inning on Saturday, they finally looked like themselves again. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
During the skid, they’d scored more than four runs only twice. They were enduringslumps from Shohei Ohtani,Freddie Freeman,Kyle TuckerandTeoscar Hernández. And things had gotten so frustrating, Freeman and Ohtani shared a light-hearted, but telling, moment in the players’ parking lot walking into the ballpark Saturday morning.
The real explosion, however, came an inning later, when the Dodgers erased a 3-2 deficit with a six-hit, two-walk, 11-batter onslaught.
Alex Freeland lofted a fly ball past Ian Happ in the left field corner that bounced off the top of the short wall for an RBI double. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Hyeseong Kimgot things started with a one-out single.Alex Freelandlofted a fly ball pastIan Happin the left field corner that bounced off the top of the short wall for an RBI double. An Ohtani walk was followed by a go-ahead RBI single from Freeman on an opposite-field line drive. And then, with Rea knocked out of the game, Hernández broke things open with a two-run, two-out single through the infield.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Dalton RushingandAndy Pageswould later add RBI singles to make it the Dodgers’ highest-scoring inning of the season.
“We just smelled an opportunity, and we took advantage of it,” Rushing said. “That’s what good offenses do … Just a testament to showing how we just pass the bat in the lineup.”
All the scoring compensated for another uneven, but more optimistic, day fromRoki Sasaki. He gave up four runs (three via solo homers) in five-plus innings, yet found better overall command while flashing a new-and-(mostly)-improved splitter; throwing it significantly harder and with much more spin than his traditional fork ball.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
For the first time this year, it allowed him to pitch into the sixth inning, while striking out five batters and finding the zone on 66 of 99 pitches.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
And now, it might give him more tangible things to build off moving forward, even with his ERA still at 6.35.
“Today was a really good one,” Roberts said. “And I hope he feels the same way about his outing.”
The bullpen also bounced back from a nightmarish loss on Friday, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the sixth unscathed thanks to a couple strikeouts fromJack Dreyerand an inning-ending grounder fromWill Klein.
After that, the Dodgers (18-9) put the game away with four more runs in the next half-inning, two of them coming on a bases-loaded double from Pages.
Just like that, the team’s league-leading offense appeared to be back in form.
After that, the Dodgers put the game away with four more runs in the next half-inning, two of them coming on a bases-loaded double from Pages. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
What it means
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
In snapping a 10-game win streak for the Cubs (17-10), the Dodgers have staved off what would’ve been a third-straight dropped series, if you include their disappointing four-game split with theColorado Rockieslast week.
And while they remain in second place in the National League West, a half-game back of theSan Diego Padres, they reaffirmed their status as one of the best offenses in baseball.
Even after their recent skid, they continue to lead the majors in team batting average (.280), OPS (.830) and home runs (44).
Those marks were aided by a team-wide effort Saturday. Every starter in the lineup got a hit. Everyone except Freeman and Tucker reached safely at least twice. And they were 7-for-16 overall with runners in scoring position.
And while they remain in second place in the National League West, a half-game back of the San Diego Padres, they reaffirmed their status as one of the best offenses in baseball. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Who’s hot
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
How about the two hitters at the bottom of the Dodgers’ order.
Kim continued his impressive return to the majors, going 2-for-5 to raise his batting average to .357 this year.
Freeland, who struggled mightily in the season’s first three weeks, also continued his recent turnaround with a 2-for-4 day (both doubles). He is now hitting .375 over his last six games.
Smith was out of the lineup with some back tightness, though he is expected to be ready to start Sunday.
Muncy, meanwhile, was removed after his third at-bat while feeling “a little under the weather” –– not that it seemed to impact his play much on a day he hit his team-leading ninth homer (including his first non-solo shot of the season) and also walked twice.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Muncy will get a day off Sunday, but is scheduled to be back in the lineup Monday.
Up next
The series rubber match will be on Sunday afternoon back at Chavez Ravine.Justin Wrobleski(3-0, 1.88 ERA) starts for the Dodgers, while left-handerShota Imanaga(2-1, 2.17 ERA) goes for the Cubs.
