The Los Angeles Dodgers started the second half of the 2022 season just about as well as a team can, by completing a four game sweep of their division rivals. The San Francisco Giants are now 16.5 games out of first in the NL West.
In the season head to heads so far, each team has won all its games at home. It is the first time the Dodgers have swept the Giants in a four frame series at home since 1995.
The Dodgers took early lead with three consecutive singles from the top of the lineup in the bottoms of the first. They eventually loaded the bases, but scored only that one run.
Clayton Kershaw needed 47 pitches to get through the first two innings, 33 of which occurred in the second inning when he allowed a lead off double. The Giants ultimately bases loaded but Kershaw didn’t allow them to score.
Kershaw did not look like himself on Sunday. He walked two batters, when he had not walked any batters in his last three starts.
Kershaw allowed two runs in the top of the third, throwing a total of 73 pitches through three innings.
In the bottom of the third, Jake Lamb doubled with two outs , Gavin Lux singled to score him, and after 8 pitch battle Max Muncy looped a hit into right and Lux sprinted around the bases to score from first. Trayce Thompson then shot a hit straight up the middle and the Dodgers took a 4-2 lead.
Kershaw regained his form, needing only 12 pitches to set the Giants down in order in fourth.
But in the top of the fifth, Kershaw gave up a hit and then a home run to Darin Ruf, which tied the game 4-4. He left the game having thrown 95 pitches. Yency Almonte came and struck out the next two batters to keep the game tied.
Phil Bickford, Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia and Craig Kimbrel combined to finish out game without allowing another run, thanks in part to excellent defense by Thompson –
The Giants defense helped in the bottom of the seventh. Freddie Freeman plopped a hit into left that should’ve been caught, allowing him to reach second base. Jake Lamb then doubled him home Gavin Lux followed with a single and scored Lamb. Thompson doubled home Muncy and the Dodgers achieved what would ultimately be the final score, 7-4.
It was a great team win, and team sweep. Contributions came from everyone up and down the lineup. While still maybe overall still slumping, Muncy and Cody Bellinger had key hits. When the bullpen faltered, the offense picked them up.
This bench is currently doing much better than the 2021 bench also. Lamb and Thompson each went 2-for-4 on Sunday, driving in three runs and scoring two runs combined. Thompson’s aforementioned defense help saved a run. Fans can have some hope they could be better contributors come October.
The Dodgers will now welcome the Washington Nationals for a three game series, before they head out on a eight game road trip in Colorado and San Francisco.
Thompson has been very helpful with his bat getting key hits and his defense. Good to have an excellent outfield defender on the bench. Hopefully they keep him in the roster when Taylor returns.
Sitting here watching Juan Soto at bat in the game tonight, at dodger stadium, thinking about how good he would look in Dodger blue.
I have read that baseball will have rules regarding the shift in 23. 2 defensive players on each side of second base and no infielder in the OF. If you watch Bellinger and Muncy that should add 30-50 points to their hitting averages as they are mostly dead pull hitters as are many baseball players these days. I am sure the change will have a positive impact on offensive stats throughout baseball. Its a shame that baseball has to reward guys like Bellinger that are too stubborn to change their approach. Look at Lux he has adopted the Freeman philosopher of making contact and going with the pitch and has flourished. Muncy should be benched or put on the IL he is a true rally stopper with his strikeouts in key situations.