Kenta Maeda and the Dodgers (11-10) looked to continue their impressive play as they took on Dillon Peters and the struggling Miami Marlins (5-17) in the second of three games at Dodger Stadium. Maeda, who is 2-1 on the season with a 3.77 ERA, 1.744 WHIP and 24 strikeouts through 4 games this season, appeared to have a favorable matchup with Peters who has a 6.98 ERA and 1.707 WHIP this year and has struggled on the road. The game would, surprisingly, turn out to be somewhat of a pitchers’ duel as neither team was able to get much going.
The Dodgers would strike first in the bottom of the second beginning with a lead-off ground-rule double to left field by Matt Kemp. Austin Barnes, who started tonight’s game behind the dish giving Yasmani Grandal the night off, would follow with a ground ball double down the first base line that would score Kemp and put the Dodgers up early 1-0. Unfortunately, the next three batters would be retired to end the inning.
The 1-0 lead would not hold for long as J.T. Realmuto would hit a solo shot off Maeda with two outs in the top of the third to tie the game 1-1.
Maeda would finish the night tossing 6.0 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 7. Daniel Hudson would make his Dodger debut by pitching a 1-2-3 top of the 7th striking out two.
With two-outs in the bottom of the 7th, Joc Pederson would draw a walk followed by a single by Chris Taylor. Corey Seager would draw another walk to load the bases which would bring pinch-hitting Chase Utley to the plate. On a 3-2 count, Utley would draw a walk and put the Dodgers back on top 2-1.
Tony Cingrani would come in relief in the top of the 8th looking to hold the lead. He would get Tomas Telis to strike out but would then surrender a soft line drive single to Derek Dietrich. With Realmuto batting, Cingrani would toss over to first base but would be called for a balk that would advance Dietrich to second. After watching the replay several times, even Nomar Garciaparra could not figure out why a balk was called. Realmuto would fly out but, with two out, Starlin Castro would double to left field that would score Dietrich and tie the game 2-2.
Pedro Baez would come in relief in the top of the 9th and would struggle early beginning with a lead-off single by Brian Anderson. Cameron Maybin would bat next and would double to left to score the speedy Anderson and give the Marlins their first lead of the game 3-2. Baez would get out of the inning without any more damage but, unfortunately, would be tagged with the loss as the Dodgers would be unable to score in the bottom of the 9th.
The Dodgers’ (11-11) bats were quiet for consecutive nights as they have only produced 4 runs in two games this series. Mattingly’s Marlins, on the other hand, out-hit the Dodgers 8-5 including 4 extra base hits despite the fact that they have an MLB-worst XBH’s on the season. The Boys in Blue will look to salvage a series win tomorrow afternoon with their ace, Clayton Kershaw, on the mound beginning at 4:35pm PST.
BakoBoyInBlue
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