Max Muncy opened the scoring for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Mookie Betts made a highlight-reel play at shortstop and James Outman delivered a game-winning grand slam in a 6-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs. The Dodgers started their seven-game road trip on a positive note and by getting back to .500 at 10-10.
Muncy’s solo home run gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the second inning and was his seventh in the past 10 games. The Cubs answered back in the bottom half behind Cody Bellinger’s solo home run, which was his second long ball against the Dodgers.
Outman’s big night began in the third inning as he put the Dodgers ahead 3-2 with a 420-foot homer. Outman also helped L.A. avoid a deficit by throwing out Trey Mancini at home plate to hold Nico Hoerner to only one RBI on his base hit in the bottom of the fourth.
After Michael Grove was removed early because of a right groin strain, the Dodgers’ bullpen collectively bounced back to keep the game locked in a scoreless tie.
Max works fast. pic.twitter.com/WsXXXJXEW1
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 21, 2023
420 ft from James! pic.twitter.com/hoJpSlp8o3
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 21, 2023
First career appearance at shortstop for Mookie? No problem. pic.twitter.com/z8FCgkhRGh
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 21, 2023
JAMES OUTMAN IS THAT GUY. pic.twitter.com/CIBt6ZmY7m
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 21, 2023
Back-to-back singles by David Peralta and Miguel Vargas in the ninth inning sparked a rally that was continued by Jason Heyward working a walk in his pinch-hit appearance. Outman then punctuated it with a grand slam on a low line drive to right field.
The multi-homer game and grand slam both were career-firsts for Outman. He hit the first go-ahead grand slam in the ninth inning for the Dodgers since Chris Taylor in 2017, and he’s the first rookie to accomplish that feat since Andrew Toles in 2016.
Mookie Betts shines as Dodgers shortstop
Like with Outman’s outfield assist, the Dodgers’ defense aided the bullpen again when Betts turned a 6-3 double play in the eighth inning on his first career opportunity at shortstop. Betts pinch-hit for Luke Williams before remaining in the game. He previously played shortstop 14 games in the Minors.
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