“There’s a little bit better conviction at-bat quality” - Dave Roberts optimistic as Dodgers rout Rangers in outstanding offensive showdown
The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a stellar 15-2 victory on Tuesday against the Texas Rangers at Dodger Stadium. Following their series win against the New York Yankees, the Dodgers continued their success by winning the first of their three-game series against the Rangers.
In the first inning, Will Smith started the Dodgers’ lead hitting a 375-foot home run, his 10th of the season, bringing in three runs for the team. Mookie Betts then hit an RBI double in the fourth inning on which Gavin Lux, Andy Pages and Jason Heyward each scored a run.
Lux’s single in the fifth brought in another run for the Dodgers. The team’s offense showcased its prowess in the sixth inning by bringing in seven runs, all on homers.
Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run moonshot followed by Freddie Freeman's solo home run. Teoscar Hernández’s 386-foot homer and Jason Heyward’s 415-foot homer each brought in two more runs.
Discussing the team’s offensive performance, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said:
“It was a very welcomed night… I think guys were a little tired today, and that’s why you just never know how the game is going to play out. But we caught a lead and then kept adding on. Collectively, it was just a great night all around," Roberts said.
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“There’s a little bit better conviction at-bat quality. We ran into some really good arms on the road and navigated our way through that," he added.
The Dodgers' pitching staff only allowed two runs on five hits to the Texas Rangers offense, striking out five players.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praises James Paxton's outing
James Paxton limited the Rangers offense to only one run in the six innings he pitched. He allowed only two hits and two walks while recording two strikeouts with a 3.92 ERA.
Talking about Paxton, Roberts said:
“I think tonight was just one of those things where he made pitches when he needed to… He made pitches when he needed to. So that was huge getting them through six innings. He hasn’t done that in a while.
“So saved our bullpen and obviously the offensive output was huge but you know for James to go out there and get through six innings. That was very helpful and I think that’s something he can build on."
The Los Angeles Dodgers (42-26) lead the NL West and will face the Rangers again on Wednesday and look to take the series.