The Los Angeles Dodgers managed to score just six runs over the weekend against the Miami Marlins, dropping two of three games. They were shut out in the series finale.
Los Angeles responded in the Bronx, pouncing on the New York Yankees for an 8-2 victory on Monday night. The Dodgers led 6-1 after the third inning and scored their final two runs on home runs from Yasiel Puig and Justin Turner.
But the Dodgers again went cold. New York came away with a 3-0 win on Tuesday, and put together eight scoreless innings in the series finale. The Dodgers kept the game locked in a scoreless tie behind a strong effort from Clayton Kershaw and ensuing relievers.
With Corey Seager, Turner and Adrian Gonzalez due up in the ninth, Yankees manager Joe Girardi turned to closer Dellin Betances. Seager lined a frozen rope to Starlin Castro, who failed to make a backhanded stop and was charged with an error.
The Dodgers shortstop then stole second base with Turner at the plate. Turner forced Betances to a full count and pulled a chopper inside the third-base bag for a go-ahead double:
Go ahead, JT. #Clutch ? pic.twitter.com/bOemR8sgb3
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 15, 2016
While Turner’s RBI double broke a scoreless tie, it came at a cost as he slid into the back of Castro’s leg. “The top of my helmet went right into his knee and jammed up my neck a little bit,” Turner told Alanna Rizzo on Time Warner Cable SportsNet LA after the game.
“I’m all right right now, but might be a little sore on the flight. We got the win, so that helps make it feel a little better.” As for the clutch hit, Turner said he was simply looking to advance Seager for Gonzalez.
The RBI was Turner’s 81st of the season, which is a team-high. He also leads the Dodgers with 27 home runs, and ranks third with a .502 slugging percentage.