One night after the St. Louis Cardinals hit seven home runs in a blowout win at Busch Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back to pitch a shutout in a 5-0 win.
Tony Gonsolin led the strong effort from the mound by throwing a season-high 94 pitches over five innings. Gonsolin became the first Dodgers starting pitcher to provide as much length since he also went five frames on May 14.
Whether Gonsolin would snap a four-game streak of a Dodgers starter going four innings or fewer appeared to be in danger early, but he settled in and got more efficient after some early shakiness.
Gonsolin exited with a 1-0 lead thanks to Chris Taylor’s two-out RBI double in the fifth inning. Prior to Taylor’s extra-base hit, the Dodgers had left at least one runner on in each of the first four innings.
Hops like Miggy. pic.twitter.com/QHvhvvQYvY
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 20, 2023
CT3 gets us on the board! pic.twitter.com/gSiOWVJAbw
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 20, 2023
WOW JAMES, THAT'S GOLD. pic.twitter.com/tInirFwNRQ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 20, 2023
Mookie the first to swing, home run with that give-me-what you-got thing. pic.twitter.com/uDY7qfOwi4
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 20, 2023
Victory formation!
Dodgers x @Yaamava pic.twitter.com/7W71Wrkwe4
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 20, 2023
The Dodgers’ lead remained 1-0 until Mookie Betts provided insurance with a three-run homer in the eighth inning. The home run was Betts’ 10th of the season and sixth in the month of Mookie.
Freddie Freeman followed with a double and Will Smith cashed that in on an RBI single.
Dodgers defense shines
The Dodgers’ infield defense has been shaky at times this season, but Miguel Rojas made a leaping catch to snag a line drive, made another impressive stop for a force out and helped turn a double play. The Cardinals only mustered two hits on the night.
In the sixth inning, James Outman put his athleticism on display by robbing Paul Goldschmidt of what would have been a game-tying solo home run off Brusdar Graterol.
Outman’s catch was reminiscent of Cody Bellinger robbing Fernando Tatís Jr. of a home run in the 2020 National League Division Series, which Graterol also was on the mound for.
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