The Dodgers took care of the Marlins on Sunday in a convincing 10-3 victory, securing the series sweep and maintaining an 18-game lead over the second-place Padres in the NL West.
Righty starter Ryan Pepiot was solid for Los Angeles in picking up his second career win, throwing six full innings while surrendering two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven.
One of the big stories of the day was how hard the Dodgers hammered one of the league’s Cy Young frontrunners, Sandy Alcantara. The righty allowed six earned runs on 10 hits and a walk, bumping his season ERA back to over 2.00 and making a case for Tony Gonsolin in a CYA bid of his own.
Regardless, catcher Will Smith delivered some timely hitting for the Dodgers and continues to produce in the cleanup hole. Smith went 3-for-5 with three RBI, including a base hit to center in the bottom of the first that scored Mookie Betts, giving the Dodgers a lead that they would never relinquish.
Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Joey Gallo all joined Smith with multi-hit games in the Dodgers’ 16-hit attack.
Muncy delivered two big hits and continues to build his average up towards the Mendoza Line. His single to right in the third inning scored Trea Turner, and his solo home run to center in the seventh — his 16th of the year — stretched the Los Angeles lead to five.
Cody Bellinger also homered for Los Angeles in the second inning, plating Gallo and bumping the Dodgers’ lead to three.
First baseman Lewin Diaz was the only player to have a multi-hit game for the Marlins and do any real damage, notching a double and a two-run homer, both off Pepiot.
The Los Angeles bullpen was decent. Alex Vesia survived a single and a walk to throw a scoreless seventh. David Price pitched the eighth and allowed a solo shot to JJ Bledlay, but it caused minimal damage, as the Dodgers were already comfortably in front, 7-2.
Pitching in somewhat of an unfamiliar role, Craig Kimbrel finished the game off for the Dodgers with a perfect ninth inning, maintaining the seven-run lead his team provided for him.
The Dodgers continue their homestand with a rematch against the Brewers in a three-game series beginning Monday. Tentatively lining up to start for Los Angeles is the trio of Julio Urias, Gonsolin and Andrew Heaney.
Tuesday night’s matchup is a nationally televised game on ESPN.
If Alcantara had to pitch all his games at Dodger Stadium, we wouldn’t be talking about his likely winning the CYA.
It looks as though Kershaw will throw another bullpen in the next couple days and then a sim game. If that goes well, he won’t even bother with any rehab games and will just be activated.
I’m expecting Pepiot to be optioned when Graterol is activated tomorrow. I guess when CK is activated that could be a problem for Bickford, but first Clayton has to get through the next week injury free.
Isn’t Beeter still on the 40 man?
Not likely since he’s the guy we traded for Gallo.
Meant Reed. Early dimenchia. Same difference though
Yes, Reed is still on the 40-man and I would think he’d probably be the first to be cut.
Great to see Code Red back on the mound. His ability to throw from 85-99 last night with MLB leading spin shows what a game changer he can be. Pepiot continues to improve with experience as most young pitchers. I am sure they will option him but he has impressed. I would be cautious on Heaney. I give credit to the Dodgers coaches as Gallo has improved. Smith is on a hot streak. About time Roberts benches him LOL.
You use the LOL to try to make humorous another unnecessary dig at Roberts. You’re critical of Roberts when there is no need to. You’ve been biased against him since I’ve read this board, and it’s never going to end, is it? Your calling him an idiot repeatedly when he manages a team with a .700 winning percentage reveals more than you think it does.
Your a cranky old thing aren’t you LOL.
Well he does have a point. Now, Dave might have a method to his madness, but it never seems to fail that someone like Lux, or Smith will have a really good game and find himself riding el bencho the next day. Even the guys on the broadcast team have made remarks about that. So, chill, it is not necessarily a dig at Doc. He is merely pointing out what sometimes is a forgone conclusion.
Got your back T.
Thanks Bear!
I think Roberts is a great person. I know he helps with Charity and other Humanitarian causes. He is well-liked by almost everyone. I do not believe he is a great strategist. But that is my opinion. Yes, the Team is playing incredibly well. Like many of us, I listen to the MLB network commentators, the Athletic commentators, and other baseball veterans, and all of them say the Dodgers have been either the most talented or in the top 3 for more than 5 years. Yet the Dodgers have only won 1 WS and in some years not made it to the WS. Robert’s in-game pitching decisions in my opinion have cost the team playoff games. Roberts is the perfect bench coach as he is a “Nice Guy”. Sometimes Roberts does not make the obvious choice because he defers too much to veterans. Leaving Muncy struggling through at 150 for 2/3 the season does Muncy nor the team any favors. It also says that Roberts believes that Muncy at 150 is better than anyone on the bench or in the Minors. I think that is a bad precedence and message. Could Muncy rehabbing his elbow and working with coaches everyday and not playing improved? We will never know. However I think on this blog I have the right to say what I think as long as it is not derogatory.