SEATTLE — When the postseason rolls round, the Los Angeles Dodgers know they’ll want extra than simply Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman carrying the load on the prime of the lineup.
Which is why an evening the place the likes of J.D. Martinez and Miguel Rojas carry the offense is vital this late within the season.
“You got the two horses up front with Freddie and (Mookie) and you got to be able to have your three, four or five hitters protect those guys,” Martinez mentioned. “Tonight was one of those things where Freddie and Mookie didn’t have to carry the load for once and we were able to get the job done.”
Rojas and James Outman homered, Martinez had two key run-scoring singles and the Dodgers moved nearer to the NL West title with a 6-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night time.
Los Angeles can wrap up the NL West for the tenth time within the final 11 seasons Saturday with a win over Seattle or assist elsewhere. San Francisco performs a doubleheader in Colorado, and Arizona hosts the Cubs and numerous eventualities might depart the Dodgers celebrating by the point Saturday night time ends.
Rojas hit a two-run homer off Seattle starter George Kirby to offer Los Angeles the lead within the fifth inning. Max Muncy added an RBI triple, and Martinez had RBI singles within the sixth and eighth innings.
PHOTOS: Dodgers on the cusp of NL West title after topping Mariners 6-3
Outman hit his twentieth homer of the season within the ninth inning.
“It’s hard to simulate a playoff (game) but this environment tonight was pretty close,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned.
Seattle failed to achieve floor on Houston and Texas within the AL West after each groups misplaced. The Mariners remained 1 1/2 video games behind the Astros and a recreation behind the Rangers.
Los Angeles starter Bobby Miller pitched 5 2/3 innings, permitting three runs and struck out seven on the day Roberts mentioned Miller (10-3) would doubtless be one of many Dodgers’ first two beginning pitchers when the postseason begins.
This begin had a playoff really feel.
“I love that kind of energy out there. Got the blood flowing a little bit,” Miller mentioned. “I’m all for that kind of stuff. I feel like I stayed really calm out there when it got super loud. I like those moments a lot.”
Miller allowed a solo dwelling run to Eugenio Suárez and an RBI single to Teoscar Hernández within the sixth inning when Seattle pulled to 4-3. Hernández prolonged his on-base streak to 29 video games, the longest lively streak within the majors.
But the Mariners stranded runners in scoring place within the sixth, seventh and eighth innings as relievers Caleb Ferguson, Brusdar Graterol and Ryan Braiser obtained key outs to flee jams.
Evan Phillips allowed two hits within the ninth, however struck out Hernández to finish it for his twenty third save.
“They got two-out RBI singles … and we struggled to knock guys in,” Seattle supervisor Scott Servais mentioned.
Kirby (10-10) pitched for the primary time since his begin final week in Tampa Bay after which he mentioned he wished to haven’t been despatched out for the seventh inning of his begin at 90 pitches – feedback he apologized for a day later.
Kirby cruised into the fifth inning in opposition to the Dodgers earlier than discovering hassle.
Rojas was capable of get his barrel to a 96 mph fastball above the strike zone and tailing towards him. The line drive had simply sufficient peak to clear the fence and land within the Dodgers bullpen.
An inning later, Will Smith was hit by a pitch with one out and scored from first on Muncy’s first triple of the season. Martinez adopted with a single and the Dodgers had a 4-1 lead.
Kirby allowed 5 hits and 4 runs in six innings. He struck out seven and threw 81 pitches.
“This game’s testing me right now. I’m making good pitches. Just a lot of better swings. Just how it happens sometimes,” Kirby mentioned.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: OF David Peralta was scratched from the lineup on account of decrease again tightness. … RHP Michael Grove (lat pressure) might rejoin the Dodgers throughout their subsequent homestand, Roberts mentioned. Grove has not pitched for the Dodgers since Aug. 5.
Mariners: LHP Marco Gonzales mentioned surgical procedure to restore a nerve subject in his left arm went properly and he hopes to start out a throwing program someday in November. Gonzales, Seattle’s nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, pitched in solely 10 video games this season, the final coming in late May.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (12-4, 2.61) will begin for the primary time in 11 days. Kershaw gave up three runs on 5 hits in 5 innings in a loss to the Marlins on Sept. 5. Since coming back from the injured listing in early August, Kershaw has not pitched greater than 5 innings in any of his 5 begins.
Mariners: RHP Bryce Miller (8-5, 4.05) has only one victory in his final 5 begins. He was knocked round for 5 earned runs and 9 hits over 5 innings in his final begin in opposition to Tampa Bay.
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