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Recap: Chase Utley Sparks Rally, Justin Turner Drives In Go-Ahead Run

Matthew Moreno
7 Min Read
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

PAGES: 1 | 2

The Los Angeles Dodgers looked to rebound from a listless performance against the Atlanta Braves behind Ross Stripling in the middle of a three-game series at Turner Field. Atlanta started Julio, who was scratched from Tuesday’s start due to illness.

Teheran retired the side in order in the first, ending the inning with a strikeout of Justin Turner. Daniel Castro lined a one-out base hit under Turner’s glove, then moved into scoring position with two outs on an A.J. Pierzynski walk.

Kelly Johnson worked a full count in a nine-pitch at-bat, only to end the inning on a strikeout. Yasmani Grandal continued to swing a hot bat as he hit a two-out double off the right field fence in the second inning. Conversely, Howie Kendrick didn’t break out of his slump and chased a pitch in the dirt for strike three.

Stripling bounced back to only throw 10 pitches in the second inning, working around a two-out base hit to keep the game locked in a scoreless tie. Utley dropped a flare single into shallow left field with two outs in the third inning.

He then moved into scoring position on Teheran’s errant pickoff throw. For a second time in as many games, Corey Seager narrowly missed hitting a home run down the right field line. He was called out on strikes three pitches later, much to his dismay.

Seager then booted a routine grounder in the bottom of the third, allowing Nick Markakis to reach with no outs. Markakis was then erased on a force out at second base and replaced by Castro at first.

Castro stole second base on a pitch in the dirt that Freeman struck out on. The error cost the Dodgers as Pierzynski’s two-out RBI single gave the Braves a 1-0 lead.

CONTINUE READING: Dodgers bullpen answers bell, game goes to extra innings

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com