Utility man Jedd Gyorko squeezed a ground-ball single to center in the top of the ninth inning Sunday night that made the difference in the outcome of the entire series. The base hit scored Enrique Hernandez from second, securing the 3-2 victory for the Dodgers. More importantly, the series win against a quality opponent gave boss Andrew Friedman and skipper Dave Roberts some crucial data to examine when it comes to determining the club’s upcoming playoff roster.
For the dedicated fans who watched every single inning of the series, they’ll know that each game had a definite playoff flavor. The final two contests were especially gripping, as runs were at an absolute premium.
While Saturday’s 3-0 defeat was particularly disappointing for the Dodgers, the win in the finale seemingly made up for the loss, specifically when considering that both the Braves and Yankees each lost their respective Sunday games.
After a Robinson Cano walk and a J.D. Davis single in the bottom of the second, the Mets got on the board first with two runs when Brandon Nimmo tripled to deep right field.
The Dodgers cut the lead in half in the top of the fourth when Max Muncy scored from second base after a Corey Seager single to left field.
The Mets and their strong pitching held the one-run lead until the Los Angeles half of the eighth.
With nobody out and Muncy at the plate, Gyorko drew a walk and advanced to second on a Justin Wilson balk. In the same AB, a wild pitch by Wilson allowed Gyorko to scamper to third base. Muncy punched out, but Chris Taylor followed with a double to deep center that plated Gyorko, tying the score at two.
In the top of the ninth inning, Gyorko delivered the single that gave the Dodgers the lead to keep.
Surprisingly, Walker Buehler was pulled from the game after just five innings and 71 pitches. Later, several reports indicated that it was Roberts’ intention to get a designed look at several specific arms out of the Los Angeles bullpen.
And those relievers did not disappoint.
Pedro Baez, Dustin May, Kenley Jansen, Adam Kolarek and Kenta Maeda all combined for four full scoreless innings of one-hit ball.
Jansen looked especially good in registering the win, his fifth of the year.
For his effort in the bottom of the ninth, Maeda posted his second save of the season.
Seth Lugo took the loss for New York, one night after registering the win in one full inning of relief.
Mets’ starter Zack Wheeler was very effective over seven frames of work, allowing just one run on six hits and no walks. The 29-year-old righty struck out nine.
Offensively for the Dodgers, both Seager and rookie infielder Gavin Lux had multi-hit games. After a short cold streak, Lux has elevated his average to .275 and surely is drawing considerations for the playoff roster.
After a day off on Monday, the Dodgers head back to Los Angeles for a quick, five-game homestand against the Rays and the Rockies.
Very nice to see us take 2 out of 3 in NY. Happy that Gyorko finally had a chance to contribute.
That Jansen guy could be really something. I think he might be future closer material……………………or not.
Good to see May get out of that jam also. Overall, a very pleasant Sunday evening.
I didn’t get to watch any of this game, but it sounds like it was an over all positive for the team. I think gyrko May make the playoff roster, I didn’t think he had a chance when we picked him up. Friedman does like multiposition players. What do you guys think, in the first series they take 3 starters or four?
I think Gyorko only makes the playoff roster if Freese is injured. Otherwise I think there are just too many other possibilities. I do think the odds are heavily in favor of Lux making it at this point.
If we assume that Kershaw, Ryu and Buehler (in some order) are the first three starters, anyone else could start game 4 or relieve so I’m not sure it matters what we label them. Possibilities would include Stripling, Urias, Hill, May, Maeda, Gonsolin, any of whom could also be used in the bullpen.
If Gonsolin continues to pitch the way he has been, I think he deserves the No. 4 starting spot. Unquestionably he has better stuff than Stripling. Keep Ross on board for the fifth and sixth inning needs. No on Gyorko. If Freese happens to re-aggravate his hammy, then I think both Beaty and Lux make it.
I think they may be having a hard time giving Gonsolin that 4th spot with all the other more experienced guys they have but if he doesn’t falter over the next 11 games he’ll deserve it. All of the other possibilities have been somewhat inconsistent or injured.
I think they’d like to include Beaty on the roster but he’s been in a little bit of a funk lately (4 for 25) and if that continues they might not be able to justify it. Hopefully he snaps out of it. I’d like to see him included.
Pitching won that one. Offense stunk. 3 for 16 WRISP. 13 Ks, 9 of those I believe with runners in scoring position. We still do not look playoff ready, but there’s time yet.
This team doesn’t look the same without Muncy, Bellinger and Turner thumping. We won’t win it all without them. Will Smith looks out of gas. .514 OPS in the last month, .097 slugging % the last 2 weeks. For an organization with so much catching depth we currently sure look weak at that position.
Gyorko is a replacement for Freese. I have Gonsolin as #4. The way this team has looked lately my confidence level is wavering. Fortunately none of the playoff teams are lighting it up.
IT SEEMS LIKE THE DODGERS ARE REALLY GREAT TEAM, HOWEVER WHENEVER THEY FACE TOP NOTCH PITCHING THEY BASICALLY FALTER. HOW ARE THEY GOING TO BEAT THE HOUSTON ASTROS OR THE NEW YORK YANKEES IF THEY CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE AGAINST GOOD PITCHING?
The Yankees starters, save Paxton, are not all that effective. Do the damage early and then protect. Their bullpen is better than LA’s at this point. Look, on any given day even the greatest have bad days. Over the last 2 years the Dodgers have owned Greinke. Verlander’s only decision against LA in 2017 was a loss. Cole is 3-2 in 7 starts against LA career wise, but his ERA against them is over 5. And despite what anyone thinks, the Yanks, Dodgers and Astros still have to beat the other contenders just to get there, so worrying about how they will perform at this time is a moot point. Remember, all it takes is one team, sometimes a wild card to get hot at the right time and all are capable of winning. The Twins bats scare a lot of people. Yes, the Yanks and Stros are the class of the league, but that does not mean they are locks to win the AL flag. Also, the Dodgers this year have beat some very good pitching. They beat Syndergaard last Friday. They got the series win when they needed it. How they did it does not matter. That they went 4-2 on the road trip is what does. After this 2 game series with the Rays, who are locked in a race for the wild card, the rest of the schedule is cup cakes. The playoffs are a crapshoot no matter what or who gets in.