Double Grand Slams in Decisive Dodger Victory Over Brewers – 5/2/21
Double Grand Slams in Decisive Dodger Victory Over Brewers – 5/2/21
Dodgers came into this game looking to avoid being swept for the first time this season. After a bullpen game on Friday and essentially a bullpen game Saturday due to May’s injury, the Dodgers needed a strong outing from Urías. He gave more than enough and pitched a great game where he never once looked uncomfortable on the mound. Double grand slams in the first and second inning definitely relieved some of the pressure off of pitching!
Before we get into the recap, some moves were made, so I wanted to give you guys an update. The Dodgers placed Dustin May on the 10-day IL with a right arm injury and purchased the contract of LHP Mike Kickham. To make room for him on the roster, the Dodgers put Corey Knebel on the 60-day IL. There’s still no actual update on May. Roberts said May is scheduled for an MRI on Monday in Chicago.
Double Grand Slams
The Dodgers’ offense wasted no time giving Urías a lead. Seager and Turner both reached with one down. Taylor came to the plate with two down and two out and was hit by the pitch to load the bases for Beaty. Beaty hit a soft grounder to first and on the toss from the first baseman, the pitcher missed the tag with his foot allowing everyone to be safe. Instead of the inning being over, a run came across to score, giving the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. Pollock did not miss his opportunity and demolished a slider to dead center for a grand slam! The Dodgers led 5-0 before Urías ever threw a pitch. For the first time this series, there was a sense of relief with the offense, and it was only the first inning.
The Dodgers were back at it again in the second inning. The Dodgers had three straight one-out hits, loading the bases once again. Smith flew out, bringing Beaty to the plate with the bases loaded for the second time in just as many innings. This time Beaty came through with his first career grand slam and the Dodgers second one of the game, making it a 9-0 lead! This was the first time since 2000 that the Dodgers hit two grand slams in one game. The Boys in Blue were hitting again, and this game was just getting started.
Urias Quietly Dominant
Brewers did manage a run against Urías when Nottingham led off the 3rd inning with a solo shot. At this point, it was only 9-1, so the run meant absolutely nothing. Today’s biggest concern was getting Urías to go deep into this game to save the bullpen arms, and he did just that. Urías was magnificent in his sixth start of the season. He had his curveball working early on, striking out four on it. The rest of his strikeouts came on his fastball in today’s outing. He finished his day retiring 12 straight.
Urías’ final line: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO, 1 HR
You can watch all of his strikeouts from today’s game here.
More Dodger Damage Done
The Dodgers got that run back and more in the fourth inning. Smith and Taylor both singled with one out, bringing up Beaty with RISP. Like he did all game, he came through once again with a base hit driving home his sixth and seventh RBI in this one. Dodgers led 11-1. In the sixth, they tacked on three more runs when Pollock hit his second home run of the game. He drove home three runs with one swing and tied Beaty with seven RBIs on the day. They’d become the first pair of Dodger teammates to each have seven RBIs in a game. Pollock took the RBI lead in the eighth when he missed his third home run of the game but doubled home Taylor for his eighth RBI—coming up one short from the franchise record of nine RBIs in a game. Dodgers led 16-1.
Mike Kickham, who had his contract purchased before today’s game, came into the game to make his Dodger debut in the eighth inning. It did not start great for him as he gave up three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Luckily, with such a significant lead, none of this mattered. Again, the only priority was protecting the bullpen arms. There was no way he was blowing a 12-run lead. He pitched the ninth and while a couple of guys got on base he didn’t surrender a run. Dodgers won 16-3.
Everyone on the field was smiling and you could tell there was a sense of relief around the team. Maybe this is that moment in Dodger history where things turn around and the team goes on a tear. Maybe it’s not. I have too much faith in this team to think this is just a one-game thing. Either way, it was a great win for the team and for us as fans.
New Breeze Blowing Going Into Windy City
The Dodgers offense has been dead for quite some time now, and it was such a feeling of joy seeing our team go out there and do what we’ve all been waiting for. We saw some huge days from guys like Pollock, Beaty, and Taylor, who went for a combined 10-for-15 with 15 RBIs and 10 runs scored. Now it’s just a matter of carrying this into the next game. Betts was the only starter in this one to not come away with a hit, and even then, Mookie made some great contact. Sometimes all it takes is one game to get everyone feeling good, and let’s all hope this is that game. Dodgers head to Chicago for a three-game series against the Cubs before a much-needed off-day on Thursday.
First pitch is at 4:40 PM PDT.
For the recap on last night’s game, click here.
Responses