While three other World Series contenders — the Yankees, Cubs and Astros — were completing impressive sweeps this weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers were struggling to win their series against the San Diego Padres.
The Padres led the MLB-best Dodgers 10-7 after rallying against L.A.’s Achilles’ Heel — its bullpen. But the Boys in Blue weren’t done. They rallied for two runs in the eighth inning and two more in the ninth against All-Star closer Kirby Yates to win 11-10.
It was the Dodgers’ MLB-high ninth walk-off victory of the season and sealed another successful weekend on the way to another National League West title.
#WALKOFFS all day. pic.twitter.com/01Qaxvo6n8
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 5, 2019
Max clutch level
The comeback began in the eighth inning, when A.J. Pollock’s RBI double and Matt Beaty’s RBI groundout cut the Padres’ lead to 10-9.
But reliever Andres Munoz induced Justin Turner to hit a grounder, and Fernando Tatis Jr. threw out Pollock at the plate with the tying run. Then Yates came on to retire red-hot rookie Will Smith and get out of the inning.
But there was still the ninth. Joc Pederson worked the count full before doubling down the right-field line. He was thrown out at third on a fielder’s choice, but an error allowed runners to reach first and second with one out for Max Muncy.
Muncy had one of the at-bats of the year, fouling off two 3-2 pitches before also finding the right-field corner. Alex Verdugo and Corey Seager raced around to score the tying and winning runs, with Seager sliding in just before the tag, to seal the Dodgers’ 74th victory of the season.
The @Dodgers get their @MLB-leading 9th #walkoff victory, courtesy of Max Muncy. pic.twitter.com/OMOY7NZKPA
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) August 5, 2019
Unstoppable?
The Dodgers are on pace to win 105 games and their seventh consecutive NL West title.
But for L.A., just making the playoffs isn’t enough anymore. In fact, just reaching the World Series — as the Dodgers have done the past two seasons, only to lose — might not be enough. This team and its fan base will settle only for a world championship.
The Astros and Yankees are also on pace to win more than 100 games, and there are plenty of other teams lurking, hoping to trip up the Dodgers in October.
But right now, the team has plenty of magic to spare.
The Dodgers overcame a late three-run deficit to hand All-Star Yates his third loss of the year — all three of which have come against the Dodgers.
“At the end of the day, we can do something special any given moment.”
https://t.co/A3zfC2qjRf— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 5, 2019
