The Los Angeles Dodgers rode a big second inning to defeat the Miami Marlins, 9-6, and extend their winning streak to three games. It’s the first time L.A. has strung together that many victories since winning eight in row from April 9-17.
Sandy Alcantara struck out a pair in the first inning only to struggle in the second and be chased from the game. Chris Taylor’s walk give the Dodgers a leadoff man on base for a second time in as many innings, and it led to six consecutive hits.
Following a Gavin Lux double, AJ Pollock hit an RBI single to give the Dodgers an early lead. The start Friday night was Pollock’s first since suffering a left hamstring strain last week. While he broke up the scoreless tie, Pollock was removed when Austin Barnes hit an RBI double.
Clayton Kershaw helped his cause with an RBI single into center, Mookie Betts kept the momentum going with a run-scoring double and Corey Seager brought in another with a line drive that went off Isan Diaz’s glove and into right field.
Muncy punctuated the big inning two batters later with a three-run home run. It gave him a third consecutive game with a homer, which is Muncy’s third-best stretch of his career. He had a home run in five straight games from Aug. 15-21, 2019, and a streak of homering in four in a row from June 8-12, 2018.
Kershaw sets season high
After the long inning in which the Dodgers took a commanding lead, Kershaw allowed the Marlins to answer right back with four runs in the third. He was hurt initially by soft contact but then gave up a three-run homer to Adam Duvall. Miami scored again off Kershaw in the fifth inning.
The five runs allowed tied a season high, but Kershaw’s 11 strikeouts also were the most he’s recorded in any start this year. “Wasn’t great today, obviously,” he said after the game performance. “Not a whole lot of positives.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, participate in our shows and giveaways, and more!