Recap: Anderson Has Injury Scare, Dodgers Win Behind 3-Home Run 8th
Perez struck out the side in the bottom of the fourth to not only keep the game tied at 1-1, but also punt a dent in Pederson’s bid for the cycle as he was one of the strikeout victims. Peterson lined a single into center only to be picked off soon thereafter for the first out in the fifth.
Anderson walked Maybin, then allowed him to advance on a wild pitch. After throwing the pitch, trainer Stan Conte and manager Don Mattingly visited Anderson on the mound. He remained in the game after three practice throws, but immediately gave up an RBI single to Freeman that got by Kendrick, who was out in right field as part of a shift.
After inducing an inning-ending double play Anderson was immediately greeted by Conte and Mattingly in the dugout. Perez gave up a two-out single to Gonzalez in the bottom of the fifth before completing a fourth consecutive scoreless inning. Anderson took the mound in the sixth and got through without issue and benefitted from diving catches made by Pederson and Kendrick.
Perez continued to sail through the game as the best the Dodgers could do in the bottom of the sixth was A.J. Ellis’ loud out. Anderson worked a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh, which was key as his spot led off in the home half.
Luis Avilan took over for the Braves and issued a walk to pinch-hitter Juan Uribe. After Pederson dropped a flare single down the left field line, Rollins’ second sac-bunt attempt of the game was unsuccessful as Avilan threw to third for the first out.
Loading the bases a third time worked in odd fashion for the Dodgers as Gonzalez tied the game and collected his 999th career RBI on a slower roller up the first base line that also resulted in the second out. Nick Masset replaced Avilan and got the Braves out of trouble on a Turner grounder to end the inning.
Adam Liberatore came on in the eighth and retired the Braves’ 2-3-4 hitters in order. Ethier then provided the difference with a leadoff solo home run in the bottom half of the inning. The home run was Ethier’s sixth of the season and gave the Dodgers a 3-2 lead.
Masset’s trouble continued as went on to give up a two-run pinch-hit home run to Alex Guerrero and a solo shot, allowing the Dodgers to push their lead to 6-2. Trevor Cahill was next out of the Atlanta bullpen and he promptly walked Kendrick before ending the inning without any further damage.
Gomes lined Chris Hatcher’s first pitch for a double to lead off the ninth and it immediately led to Kenley Jansen beginning to warmup. Simmons dropped a bloop single between a trio of Dodgers down the right field line and Mattingly summoned the Dodgers’ closer.
Simmons took second base on defensive indifference and one run scored as Jansen earned a save in the Dodgers’ 6-3 win.
Don Mattingly Explains Why He’s Not Rushing To Change Batting Order
