Going into Friday evening’s recreation, I absolutely anticipated the Pink Sox to drop this one. Walker Buehler has been lower than inspiring, and Nick Pivetta has been lights out at dwelling this season. Apparently, Buehler’s hatred for the Padres was larger than Pivetta’s need for vengeance in opposition to the Pink Sox. The Pink Sox grabbed a four-run lead within the fourth inning after Wilyer Abreu despatched a ball to Jupiter, and so they by no means seemed again.
Very similar to within the 1964 basic Rudolph the Pink-Nosed Reindeer, the misfit toys got here up massive after they had been wanted most. Walker Buehler, Connor Wong, and Masataka Yoshida all stepped up when their quantity was referred to as. All of them pale compared to Herbie the elf turned dentist, however they every confirmed up in massive moments and led the workforce to a series-opening victory.
On prime of all of that, Mookie Betts led the Dodgers to a victory over the Blue Jays. We’re formally scoreboard watching in a race for the division title. How cool is that? Again at it once more tomorrow evening with Lucas Giolito vs. Michael King.
Walker Buehler – 6 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 Ok, 0 ER
You may by no means be upset about six shutout innings. Buehler switched up his strategy in opposition to lefties, eliminating his cutter in favor of four-seamers and curveballs. His four-seam had an additional inch of vertical motion tonight and generated 4 whiffs on 45 choices. Whereas the swinging strike price with the pitch nonetheless leaves a bit of one thing to be desired, it was essentially the most whiffs the pitch had returned this season. Extra importantly, he reduce down on the speed of non-competitive pitches, serving to him keep answerable for at-bats. I’m nonetheless not totally bought on Buehler, however this was an encouraging signal.
Connor Wong – 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI
Connor Wong recorded his first hit with runners in scoring place this season when he hit a bases-clearing double within the eighth inning. With Carlos Narvaez doubtlessly needing a stint on the IL, it could be nice to see Wong get going offensively.
Masataka Yoshida – 2-4, 2B, Sac Fly, HR
Yoshida was hitting simply .222 coming into the sport. Seemingly, each time he got here to the plate, he was grounding out to second base. On Friday, he hit the ball within the air 4 occasions. Twice to left discipline for a double and a flyout, as soon as to heart for a sacrifice fly, and a pulled fly ball over the fence for a house run. If Yoshida will get going, an already good offense will get that a lot better.
Chris Murphy – 1/3 inning, 1 H, 4 BB
Murphy has been strong this season since being recalled, however he didn’t have it tonight. When you need to put Garrett Whitlock within the recreation after main by eight, one thing went flawed, and tonight that one thing was Murphy. A win is a win, although, and each reliever has unhealthy outings sometimes. Simply go get ‘em subsequent time.
I needed to select extra duds, however even Ceddanne Rafaela, who was 0-4, drew a stroll and scored a run. The one participant within the lineup who didn’t rating a run was Roman Anthony, who reached base 3 times.
