The Los Angeles Dodgers needed extra innings for a second time in the series and they once again emerged victorious by defeating the Miami Marlins, 3-2, in 10. The Dodgers won three of four games in the wraparound series, now are 4-6 in extra innings this season and next face the New York Mets to continue their road trip.
Pablo López had struggled some of late but turned in a quality start against the Dodgers, who reportedly had interest in the right-hander at the trade deadline this season. López protected a 1-0 lead until giving up a two-run home run to Will Smith in the third inning.
Smith’s homer came on the same day he announced plans to play for Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. With Mookie Betts having homered in each of the first three games at loanDepot Park, a Team USA representative from the Dodgers hit a home run in every contest of the series.
While Smith provided the Dodgers with a lead, it was short-lived and followed by missed opportunities and the lineup going quiet. Justin Turner’s leadoff double and Cody Bellinger’s two-out walk were stranded in the fourth inning, and so too was Trea Turner after his leadoff single in the fifth.
That came as part of a stretch that saw 11 of 12 Dodgers batters retired through the eighth inning. L.A. had an opportunity to break the tie in the ninth, when Justin Turner led off with a walk and Bellinger hit a two-out single, but both were left on base.
The Dodgers did pull ahead in the 10th inning when Trea Turner’s 1,000th career hit put runners at the corners with nobody out. Freddie Freeman beat out a double play and his grounder brought in what held as the game-winning run.
Michael Grove, Dodgers bullpen step up
Tony Gonsolin going on the 15-day injured list because of a right forearm strain led to Michael Grove getting recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City for a spot start.
Grove held the Marlins to two runs and collected four strikeouts over 4.2 innings pitched. His effort was backed by more strong work from the Dodgers bullpen.
Craig Kimbrel retired the side in order in the ninth, but couldn’t get through a second inning as he gave way to Chris Martin with the bases loaded. Martin struck out the first batter faced and retired Jacob Stallings to convert the save.
Monday capped off a stretch of 14 consecutive games for the Dodgers against only the Milwaukee Brewers and Marlins. They went 10-4 during that span.
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