Tony Gonsolin threw five scoreless innings and Mookie Betts hit a two-run homer in the third frame to propel the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-0 victory over the San Diego Padres at home on Sunday, securing the series sweep while maintaining their three-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West.
The Dodgers have now won their last five contests and seven of their last nine. Since the series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 28, Los Angeles has won 13 of 15 games.
While the offense still hasn’t found any type of decent consistency lately, the pitching staff has been carrying the club on its shoulders. After a rocky start to the season, both the starting rotation and the bullpen have been highly effective in the club’s latest winning run.
Over his five full innings of work on Sunday, Gonsolin threw 85 pitches, allowing just two hits and a walk with six punchouts. While his pitch efficiency was less than ideal, it’s still a promising sign for the backend of a rotation that has been up and down all season. The front three — Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias and Dustin May — have been solid, particularly during the recent run.
Aside from a Xander Bogaerts double off lefty Justin Bruihl in the top of the ninth, the bullpen was near spotless in the series finale, highlighted by perfect frames from Yency Almonte and Victor Gonzalez.
A consistent Gonsolin gives the Dodgers four high-quality starters. The fifth, Noah Syndergaard, has yet to find any kind of groove. Although it initially seemed like the veteran righty would spend time on the injured list with a blister on his throwing finger, he threw well in a bullpen Saturday and is still scheduled to make his normal start this week.
The team is still winning games despite the offense not performing up to the standards we’ve seen in recent seasons. The Dodgers are in the cellar as far as NL team batting average goes. Their .231 mark currently sits 14th among all 15 National League teams, a ranking to which they’re certainly not accustomed. Six players on the active roster are hitting under .220 for the season, including Austin Barnes at .093, Trayce Thompson at .125, Miguel Rojas at .180, Chris Taylor at .202, Max Muncy at .203 and Miguel Vargas at .213.
Los Angeles has just two players hitting over .300 right now — Will Smith at .322 and Freddie Freeman at .302. Despite his low average, Muncy is leading the team in homers with 12 and walks with 26.
Next up for the Dodgers is a three-game series beginning Monday against the Minnesota Twins to finish the current homestand. Lining up to pitch for the Dodgers are Syndergaard, Kershaw and May, respectively.
Kershaw’s mother, Marianne, died on Saturday, but all indications are the lefty will make his regularly scheduled start on Tuesday, although there have been whispers of the possibility of a bereavement leave shortly thereafter.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
I had high hopes for Syndergaard. Still early but starting to think that they may sit him down once Pepiot or Grove are ready or possibly bringing Stone back up. Currently the Dodgers have the best record in the NL which is amazing with losing Lux, Hudson not being able to come back and Gonsolin just now contributing. Plus the offense being so poor. They rely on the HR a lot rahter than attempting to have rallies. But they have guys like Taylor, Heyward, Thompson and Peralta that are having poor results so far. Smith has become a major factor in the Dodger success. Vargas continues to make strides.
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Unfortunately the four non performers are all outfielders, an area where we have nothing on the farm, and an area of weakness for many years. Also explains our 231 ba, although our Ob must be near the top.
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Pages and DeLuca. CT3 showing signs of life. Busch’s clearest route to the bigs is thru the outfield.
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I’m thinking Busch’s clearest route to the bigs may be through another uniform.
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I’m thinking they should try out Jason Heyward in the three-hole. Just for kicks.
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Howard is hitting third tonight, but Kersh is not doing Kersh like things. Team looks flat after long game last night.
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Roberts should have let Barnesy hit cleanup.
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Barnes and Thompson are the black holes in this lineup. I do not believe they can carry two weak bats all year. A change will need to be made and it seems to me that Trayce is going to be the odd man out. They will either trade for a power hitting outfielder who crushes left-handed pitching or bring up one of the touted kids. Unfortunately, I do not think the kids are the solution. Andy Pages, and DeLuca are not just going to immediately rake in the majors. Simple math, that rarely happens. I think they will go the trade route. I also believe the offense will pick up a lot more when Martinez and Betts start hitting like they really can. Mookie has been better, but very streaky so far. Over this next 10-game swing to the east, that offense had better be hitting on all cylinders. Cards, Braves and Rays are all tough teams to beat in their own parks.
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Will anyone else besides myself be shocked if we see Dustin May again this year? Not to be negative but it just feels like we rarely get a break injury-wise and a flexor strain for a pitcher with his power and violent delivery rarely have good outcomes. Really hoping this kid doesn’t have to have his elbow cut on two out of the last 3 years. He had his Tommy John in May 2021 just about exactly 2 years ago. Not many guys can throw a sinker 98 mph with 10 inches of drop. Hopefully the platelet injection goes well and we get him back after the all star break.
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What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
That can apply both to individuals and teams. Time will tell.
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