Rollercoaster Week for Justin Turner and Dodgers

Rollercoaster Week for Justin Turner and Dodgers – Weekly Recap – April 19 – 25

Interleague play began when our boys in blue traveled up to the Pacific Northwest for a brief two-game series between the Seattle Mariners.  It’s also known to some Dodgers fans as the Seager Cup, pitting our shortstop Corey Seager against his older brother Kyle Seager at third base. In an American League park this week, Justin had the opportunity to start at designated hitter.  

Justin Turner vs. the Mariners

April 19 – DH

The first inning saw Turner get on with a walk. In the third inning, he doubled, but he was stranded at second when Will Smith struck out to end the frame. A walk in the sixth by JT was cashed in when Zach McKinstry hit a single into center field. A strikeout in the seventh concluded his night. 

Dodgers lose 3-4.

April 20 – Pitchers Duel

This was definitely a game for the pitchers, and the one that stood out the most was Julio Urías. He tossed seven innings of one-hit ball, struck out 11 batters while allowing zero runs.

As for Justin, starting at third base didn’t help as he also accumulated zero and popped out in the first. A strikeout in the third. A groundout in the sixth. The ninth inning saw him hit into a fielder’s choice. He left three men on base, which would have provided some insurance.

Dodgers win 1-0.

April 21 – Team Day Off

After the split of the Seattle Mariners, the Dodgers returned home to start a four-game series with seemingly everyone’s favorite opponents thus far, the San Diego Padres. 

Justin Turner vs. the Padres

April 22 – Nail Biter

In the first, Turner hit into a forceout. The same result in the third. He got on base via a walk in the sixth. In the eighth inning, he singled, and he would have scored, but Sheldon Neuse grounded into a double play which went to review after it was thought that Fernando Tatis Jr. didn’t touch second on the relay. After the review was concluded, the call was upheld, and Justin was out.

Dodgers lose 3-2.

April 23 – Quiet Night for Offense

The walk in the first was the only time JT got on base. He struck out in the third and sixth inning, and his final at-bat, he grounded out. The entire Dodger lineup had trouble against the Padres on this one.

Dodgers lose 6-1.

April 24 – Dodger Victory

Justin reached base twice in this game on a single in the third and a walk in the fifth.  He struck out once.  

Dodgers win 4-5.

April 25 – A Blown Opportunity

In one of the few games I get to watch all season, I had to suffer through this blown six-run lead. Overall, the offense left the bases loaded multiple times, and the bullpen could not get outs when they were needed.

In the third, Justin hit an RBI single, which drove in Corey Seager. He hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth that brought home Mookie Betts. The eighth saw him strikeout. The tenth inning was a ground out. The offense was frustrating, but the bullpen blew a six-run lead as well.

Dodgers lose 8-7.

I think Justin Turner’s performance was very up and down this week. I believe it is due to the injuries we have sustained with our other hitters and not having the normal lineup we’re accustomed to. Hopefully, we can get our act together with runners in scoring position, especially with the bases loaded! See you next week for another weekly recap.

WEEKLY STATS

BA: .346

OPS: 1.046

R: 1 (14)

Hits: 4 (27)

RBI: 3 (19)

AB: 21 (78)

BB: 5 (10)

2B: 1 (7)

3B: 0 (0)

HR: 0 (5)

SB: 0 (0)

To read all about Justin Turner’s Cheesy Home Run, click here.

For the latest Justin Turner stats, click here.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images