Miami Marlins vs Los Angeles Dodgers
Tonight was a matchup between the best team in the National League and a bottom-dwelling Marlins team that has not been as bad as everyone advertised before the season. Thankfully, the young Marlins wilted under pressure at Dodger Stadium, gifting L.A. two runs in the sixth inning in a 2-1 loss.
Hyun-Jin Ryu started for the Dodgers, and it was quite evident he did not have his best "stuff" tonight. But although he walked three batters, he still pitched through seven innings with four hits, seven strikeouts, and one earned run.
As you are reading this, you are probably thinking, "He only walked three batters - that's not bad at all.”
But when you are Hyun-Jin Ryu, a control master, walking three batters is unnaceptable, especially when you own a 11-2 record with a 1.76 ERA.
Marlins rookie and UNC graduate Zac Gallen pitched five and 1/3 innings resulting in one earned run (two runs), four walks, and five strikeouts. Unfortunately, he could not finish the sixth inning and he is still looking for his first career Major League victory.
Miami struck first in the fourth inning on a hit-and-run double from Jorge Alfaro that scored Harold Ramirez from first base. Dodgers fans were thinking, "Here we go again, about to get swept by the worst team in baseball," or maybe it was just my pessimistic self thinking that.
Luckily the Dodgers were pitching against one of the most anemic offenses (Marlins fans would rather watch paint dry I'm sure) in the major leagues this year and were completely shutdown after the 4th inning.
L.A. scored both runs in the sixth inning after a botched double play from Miguel Rojas and a booted groundball from Starlin Castro on back-to-back plays which epitomized the Marlins as a franchise.
Shockingly, the Dodgers bullpen did an excellent job of holding the one run lead, with Kenta Maeda and Kenley Jansen holding the fort to preserve the 2-1 victory.
Los Angeles looks to take a 2-0 series lead with Clayton Kershaw taking the mound against Sandy Alcantara.
The Dodgers are 65-35 and first pitch is at 9:10 EST.