What could bring me out of my writing slumber? Probably a Shohei Ohtani walk-off grand slam home run amidst an historic 40/40 season. You could say that Ohtani is pretty dang good at baseball. Well that’s what happened as the Dodgers used two clutch home runs to down the Rays. Ohtani’s grand slam home run in the ninth cemented him into baseball history. Ohtani’s home run was one of two big clutch home runs (Enrique Hernandez’s three-run shot tied it up) helping the Dodgers to a 7-3 win.
The Dodgers are at home in the middle of a long home stand. On Thursday they designated Jason Heyward for assignment to make room on the roster for Chris Taylor who was being activated from the injured list. The Dodgers are going to miss Heyward’s presence in the clubhouse, and his big bat (when healthy) in the lineup.
But the games go on and the Dodgers opened a weekend set against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday evening. Young starter Bobby Miller was on the mound for the Dodgers. Bobby has been trying to find himself this year during a tumultuous second year. He’s been injured and generally ineffective but you can see that the talent has always been there. On Friday night, Bobby was perhaps fighting himself. I have no idea what’s been wrong with him beyond injury. His velocity is still there, as he regulary touched 97 PMH on his heaters during his start against Tampa Bay. He began the game rocky, but found himself doing what good pitchers do when they don’t have their best stuff, he limited the damage allowing the Dodgers to get back in the game.
Miller gave up three earned runs in the first three frames putting the Dodgers down 3-0. Junior Caminero deposited a home run over the center field wall in the top of the first, giving the Rays an early 1-0 lead. Bobby pitched around a single from former Dodger Johnny De Luca, an error from Mookie Betts and a wild pitch. Miller battled back to strike out Jose Siri, Rob Brantly, and Taylor Walls to escape the inning. He wasn’t so fortunate in the top of the third when Caminero doubled, and scored on Christopher Morel’s two-run home run which gave Tampa a 3-0 lead.
But Bobby would allow just one base-runner over his final three frames. His pitching line was six innings, three earned runs on seven hits, no walks and nine strikeouts. He wasn’t involved in the decision but he gave the Dodgers a quality start. Here’s hoping Bobby has finally found himself this season because the Dodgers are going to need him down the stretch of a close division race.
Bobby was great, but the story was all about Ohtani making history. The Dodgers had to get there first, and they tied it up in the bottom of the fifth. Before that Ohtani singled and swiped his 40th stolen base of the season in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the fifth Tommy Edman singled, Gavin Lux walked and Hernandez followed with one of his trademark banana blasts that landed in the left filed pavilion. Tie game!
No. 8 FOR THREE! pic.twitter.com/QlscTpBLkz
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 24, 2024
Meanwhile the Dodger bullpen kept the Rays off the board. Ryan Brasier, Evan Phillips and flamethrower Michael Kopech tossed three scoreless punching out four. Everyone contributed to the win, yet it was Ohtani proving why he is the best all-around player in baseball. In the bottom of the ninth, Will Smith reached when he was hit by a pitch. Edman singled him to second, and after Miguel Rojas sacrificed the runners over (a rarity these days), Max Muncy was up with Ohtani on deck. We can’t forget about Muncy’s walk that loaded the bases and brought Ohtani to the plate with the chance to not only win the game but smash his 40th home run. He certainly delivered. Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for the Dodgers on Saturday night in game two of the series, while Tampa Bay gives the ball to young right hander Taj Bradley.
Legend https://t.co/gVE0BM2BE1
— Jack Flaherty (@jflare_) August 24, 2024
San Diego and Arizona are not letting up. Both clubs won again, so the Dodgers retained their four game lead over the Padres and 4.5 game advantage over the Dbacks. The Dodgers have to keep their foot on the gas pedal. Ned Colletti thinks a close playoff race is good for the Dodgers, but it’s definitely not good for my stress levels.
Be kind to my health Dodgers.
