Los Angeles, CA (News4usOnline) – As they try to hold on to their slim division lead, the Dodgers had to take advantage of a three-game set with the last-place Rockies, and they delivered. With their 9-0 win over Colorado, Los Angeles has built their lead over the Padres to three games with 16 left to play.
Despite an up-and-down year from the Dodgers, the rest of the NL West has surprisingly struggled as well. San Diego is 3-7 over their last 10, and have been unable to take advantage of the Dodgers’ losses, seemingly flatlining every time there has been an opening.
Blake Snell watched Yoshinobu Yamamoto toss a no-hitter through 8 2/3 innings in his last start, which was then followed up by seven no-hit innings from Tyler Glasnow. Snell did his best to one-up their performances, but had to settle for an 11-strikeout, six-inning shutout, giving up only two hits in the process.
“I was definitely thinking about how guys have been throwing no-nos, and that is fun, having internal competition. You are excited for everyone and their success, and I was happy I could keep it going. That was a big home series sweep to get us moving in the right direction,” said Snell.
While Snell has not played a lot this season, he is starting to find a rhythm and is now locked in as a guy the Dodgers will rely upon down the stretch. After tonight’s outing, he has brought his ERA down to 2.79.
“He just wants to go out there and dominate,” said Roberts. “Tonight, it was another step in the right direction. Blake is getting to the point where he is that guy he knows he is and has been for years. It was good to see him follow up on what those other pitchers have done,” said Dave Roberts.
For the fourth time in five games, Mookie Betts had at least two hits, this time going 4-5, including a grand slam to seal the win. The Dodgers superstar has had a bad year by his standards, but people are quick to forget he came into the season severely underweight.
Betts dealt with a stomach issue that did not allow him to keep down solid food right before the start of the season, and it has been an uphill battle ever since for the shortstop, as he works his way back into peak form. For a player who produces well above his stature, any amount of weight loss is a massive deal. It feels like he might finally be back to putting all of his focus and energy towards the field, rather than calorie counting.
A locked-in Mookie Betts is one of the best players in baseball despite what his numbers this year might suggest.
“I don’t really know what has been different, and I don’t care about none of that stuff. I want to win, and that is all I care about,” said Betts.
Tommy Edman also made his return to the lineup, and after struggling with injuries all season long, the Dodgers are as healthy as any team at the right time, which is a massive problem for the rest of the league. Edman got a hit and scored a run in his return.
Beating up on Colorado might seem cruel, but wins are wins, especially at this point in the season, even if they feel cheap. The last thing Los Angeles wants is to give San Diego hope that they can win the division as we head into the last three weeks of the regular season.
Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.” Email Benjamin at benverbrugge8@gmail.com.
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