Dodgers beat Rays behind Miguel Rojas‘ pinch-hit blast

Miguel Rojas gave the Dodgers a late lead Monday evening.

And this time, their bullpen didn’t squander it.

In a 4-3 win over the Rays at Dodger Stadium, the staff overcame an early three-run deficit on a Kyle Tucker residence run, took their first lead of the evening on Rojas’ go-ahead, pinch-hit blast to left area within the seventh, then hung behind three scoreless innings from their beforehand scuffling bullpen, bouncing again from their first collection loss in a month this previous weekend with a slim victory to open this six-game homestand.

Rojas’ residence run was the distinction, with the veteran utilityman taking Rays left-hander Steven Matz deep with a swing that was –– aesthetically, no less than –– harking back to his heroic Sport 7 homer in final 12 months’s World Collection.

However the bullpen supplied essentially the most encouraging indicators.

Getting into Monday, the unit had a 7.51 ERA this month, good for the worst mark within the majors in June.

However after a six-inning, three-run begin from Eric Lauer that was aided closely by the Dodgers’ protection, the membership bought scoreless frames from Kyle Damage within the seventh (who labored round a two-out single), Will Klein and Alex Vesia (who stranded a runner at third within the eighth) and Tanner Scott (who picked up his eighth save within the ninth).

What it means

After dropping two of three to the White Sox to finish their current highway journey, the Dodgers (46-27) bought again within the win column Monday to enhance to 8-6 in June and 22-9 since Could 13.

In addition they bought a leg up on this collection over the Rays (41-28), who’ve cooled since a red-hot Could and slipped to second within the American League East.

Within the Nationwide League West, the Dodgers are again to eight video games up on the San Diego Padres.

Who’s sizzling

Clearly, Dodgers followers are nonetheless lukewarm on Tucker –– evidenced by him getting half the All-Star votes of Andy Pages, and 100,000 lower than the presently injured Teoscar Hernández.

On Monday, nevertheless, he lastly confirmed extra of the all-around talent set that prompted the Dodgers to provide him a $240 million contract.

First, erased the staff’s early 3-0 deficit by hitting a three-run blast within the backside of the second, giving him simply his second residence run at Dodger Stadium this 12 months

Then, within the third, he prevented the Dodgers from falling behind once more, slicing down a runner at residence plate with an ideal throw from proper area to protect the 3-3 tie and finish the inning.

General, Tucker went 2-for-4 –– albeit, with a key strikeout within the sixth with a pair runners on base, and a flyout within the eighth with a runner on second –– and is now hitting .239 on the season with a .725 OPS.

Who’s not

The Rays’ batted ball luck.

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Although the Tampa Bay lineup struck out simply seven instances on Monday, their capacity to place the ball in play was negated by sturdy Dodgers’ protection.

Tucker’s outfield help was the largest second. However there was additionally a key double-play on the finish of Lauer’s begin within the sixth (serving to him full a top quality begin that provides him a 3.22 ERA in 4 begins with the Dodgers) and a number of other nifty moments from Max Muncy at third and Mookie Betts at shortstop, together with a grounder Betts fielded to steer off the ninth that despatched him ranging far to his proper as he made the play.

Up subsequent

The Dodgers and Rays proceed this collection on Tuesday evening, when Justin Wrobleski (7-2, 2.95 ERA) will pitch on 4 days’ relaxation towards Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen (6-2, 2.71 ERA).