Yamamoto dominates, Ward hits first career homer as Dodgers beat Phillies

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers proceed to look each bit like a membership discovering its stride.

Behind one other gritty outing from Yoshinobu Yamamoto and a memorable first profession residence run from Ryan Ward, the Dodgers powered previous the Phillies 9-1 on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, securing their fifth consecutive sequence victory and persevering with a dominant stretch that has seen them win 14 of their final 17 video games.

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At 38-21, the Dodgers completed Could with an 18-10 document and now maintain a 5½-game lead over the Padres within the Nationwide League West, their largest division benefit of the season.

For a workforce that has spent a lot of the primary two months looking for consistency, Sunday’s victory felt like one other instance of all the things clicking directly.

The largest cause Sunday by no means felt aggressive was Yamamoto.

William Liang-Imagn Photos

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) delivers a pitch within the first inning towards the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium.

The correct-hander wasn’t working along with his sharpest command, however he as soon as once more demonstrated why the Dodgers belief him towards baseball’s finest lineups. Dealing with a Phillies membership filled with energy and postseason expertise, Yamamoto battled by means of visitors, elevated pitch counts and a number of other disturbing innings earlier than delivering 5⅓ scoreless innings.

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His closing line: 5⅓ innings, 4 hits, no runs, two walks, one hit batter and 10 strikeouts on 104 pitches.

The ten strikeouts matched a profession excessive and marked a season-best whole, whose ERA dropped to 2.86. Three of these strikeouts got here towards Main League residence run chief Kyle Schwarber.

“My pitches had an excellent drive and vitality,” Yamamoto stated afterward.

The efficiency completely embodied what Roberts praised earlier than the sport.

“He beats good groups, he manages stress, can restrict harm, he can take a punch early and preserve going,” Roberts stated.

That is precisely what occurred Sunday.

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Even with out his finest command, Yamamoto persistently made the pitches he wanted when bother surfaced. Roberts elected to take away him with one out within the sixth inning quite than push him additional.

“He might’ve discovered a approach to get by means of that sixth inning,” Roberts stated. “However I felt, to what value? The nice ones know methods to get Main League hitters out even after they haven’t got their finest stuff.”

The Dodgers made positive Yamamoto had respiration room early.

Alex Freeland opened the scoring within the second inning with an RBI double, his first hit since rejoining the membership from Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis. Kyle Tucker adopted later within the inning with an RBI single that pushed the result in 2-0.

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For Tucker, the afternoon represented a welcome breakthrough.

The All-Star outfielder spent Saturday taking batting follow on the sector for the primary time all season. He’s not the primary to do one thing like this. Shohei Ohtani by no means takes batting follow outdoor except he’s struggling on the plate.

It might have paid speedy dividends.

Tucker completed 2-for-4 with a single, a double and an RBI. Within the fifth inning, Mookie Betts took a stroll then Tucker bought a maintain of Tanner Banks’ slider and hit it off the wall for a double. Alex Name then hit a two-run single, extending the result in 6-0.

However the second everybody inside Dodger Stadium will bear in mind belonged to Ward.

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In his first profession sport at Dodger Stadium, the 28-year-old outfielder launched the primary residence run of his main league profession, a fourth-inning solo shot off Phillies’ Andrew Painter.

The ball disappeared over the fence, and Ward admitted afterward he barely remembers the second.

“Form of a blackout, if I am sincere with you,” Ward stated. “I hit it and simply type of went numb. Watching it go over the fence was actually cool and an unbelievable feeling for positive.”

For a participant who spent years grinding by means of the minor leagues whereas ready for a chance, it was the end result of numerous bus rides, lengthy seasons and unanswered questions.

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“He is spent numerous time within the minors,” Roberts stated. “These are particular moments.”

Ward rapidly recovered the baseball afterward and stated it is going to be displayed subsequent to the ball from his first main league hit.

The clubhouse was equally thrilled.

Freeland, who adopted Ward’s blast with a house run of his personal to almost the identical spot in left area, spoke glowingly about his teammate.

“I am simply uber excited for Ryan Ward,” Freeland stated. “I do not assume there’s anyone that deserves it greater than him. So to share that second with him is type of particular.”

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Freeland’s resurgence has change into one of many extra encouraging developments for the Dodgers. After starting the season on the Opening Day roster, he returned to Triple-A to rebuild his swing. Since being recalled this week, he has seemed noticeably extra assured and productive.

Sunday was his finest sport but.

Freeland completed 2-for-3 with a house run, double, two RBIs and two runs scored.

Extra importantly, he continues to indicate an understanding of his position on a veteran roster loaded with stars.

“Everybody on this locker room is a famous person,” Freeland stated.

That perspective issues for a younger participant attempting to carve out a spot on a championship-caliber workforce.

The offense by no means slowed after the fourth inning.

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Freddie Freeman added a sacrifice fly within the sixth after Andy Pages tripled. Max Muncy crushed his 14th residence run of the season within the seventh. By the point the Phillies lastly broke by means of on Bryson Stott’s ninth-inning solo homer, the end result had lengthy been determined.

The Dodgers completed with 13 hits and obtained contributions from practically each spot within the lineup. Betts was the one participant and not using a hit going 0-for-3 on Sunday.

Simply as importantly, they as soon as once more seemed like a workforce taking part in with confidence, depth and momentum.

Now comes a fast turnaround.

The Dodgers head to Arizona for a four-game sequence towards the Diamondbacks starting Monday night time earlier than returning residence subsequent weekend to host the Angels.

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After taking two of three from one of many Nationwide League’s premier contenders, they depart Los Angeles with much more proof that they are changing into the model of themselves many anticipated all alongside.