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Six runs in the first inning seal the Dodgers' victory | by Megan Garcia | Sep, 2024

Dodger Insider
Andy Pages, Tommy Edman and Mookie Betts combined for four runs on Saturday. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

by Megan Garcia

During the game, the Dodgers don't look at the scoreboard to see how their division opponents are playing. They focus on winning the matchup in front of them.

The Dodgers scored six runs in the first inning and held on as they beat the Guardians 7-2 at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.

It was a season-high for runs scored by the Dodgers in the first inning. Tommy Edman opened the scoring when he drove in two runs with a ground-rule double. Gavin Lux and Miguel Rojas scored two consecutive runs to extend the lead to 4-0. Rojas was the last batter Cleveland starter Gavin Williams faced before being replaced with two outs on 37 pitches.

“We saw the pitch count get high. He was only one or two pitches away from getting out of the inning,” Mookie Betts said. “But we didn't let it bother us.”

Andy Pages hit a fastball from reliever Pedro Avila 432 feet to center field for his 10th home run – his first since returning to the team on Sept. 1. The two-run shot scored Rojas and gave the Dodgers a 6-0 lead.

Pages had a .262 batting average with two home runs and eight RBIs in 15 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City before being called up to the Dodgers for a second time this season. The 23-year-old is learning to deal with the ups and downs of the season.

“More than anything, I just focus on the results,” Pages said. “I try to talk to other people outside of the game of baseball to get myself in a better mental position.”

Lane Thomas got the Guardians going with a two-run home run off reliever Michael Grove in the second inning. Betts put himself on the scoreboard with a solo home run in the fourth inning, his 12th RBI in his last 10 games since Aug. 28.

“Given the person and the player, it doesn't surprise me,” Roberts said. “But given the time off, it's hard to imagine him being really good right from the start, but he's in playoff mode.”

Cleveland's bullpen limits

On Saturday, every inning against the Guardians was reserved for the bullpen. Ryan Brasier ended his role as opener with a scoreless first inning. Michael Grove took over in the second inning and scored two runs (one earned) on Thomas' home run.

“It seemed like there were a lot of stressful innings and a lot of traffic tonight,” Roberts said. “But the guys made the throws when we needed them.”

Justin Wrobleski (2 IP), Blake Treinen (1 IP), Alex Vesia (1 IP), Michael Kopech (1 IP) and Brent Honeywell (2 IP) covered the final seven innings of the game, allowing a combined four hits, three walks and seven strikeouts.

Hernández is viewed from day to day

Teoscar Hernández will be able to resume his activities early next week as scans showed no injury to his left foot. Hernández was substituted during Friday's game after being hit on the foot by a breaking ball from Guardians starter Matthew Boyd.

Where they stand

The Dodgers (85-57) extended their lead in the National League West to five Games. The San Diego Padres (81–63) lost to the San Francisco Giants, while the Arizona Diamondbacks (79–64) lost to the Houston Astros.

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