The Los Angeles Dodgers won their third straight, beating the Cincinnati Reds 6-3 on Tuesday night and keeping a one-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West after San Diego’s win over Seattle.
Clayton Kershaw worked five innings of one-run ball, allowing only two hits and striking out six in what was his 221st career victory. That win moved him into a tie with Max Scherzer and Joe Niekro for 76th on the all-time wins list. Tanner Scott secured the save with a clean ninth inning for his 20th save of the season.
The Dodgers pulled away with a four-run burst in the sixth, extending a 2-1 lead to 6-1. Will Smith led off the frame with a homer off Brent Suter, then Miguel Rojas delivered a pinch-hit two-run double and Shohei Ohtani added an RBI single. Nick Martinez took the loss for Cincinnati, lasting 5 1/3 innings and giving up four runs on seven hits while fanning three and walking two. Cincinnati answered with a two-run homer from Austin Hays and an RBI groundout by Miguel Andújar.
Key contributor for Los Angeles was Kiké Hernández, back in the lineup after his return from the injured list. He went 2-for-3 with a run scored, a strikeout and a sacrifice fly that gave the Dodgers the lead in the fourth, and he also turned a game-ending double play.
Up next, Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo will start the series finale against the Dodgers and their ace Shohei Ohtani, who is listed as the Dodgers’ starter and is expected to work five innings on bobblehead night.
Additional notes and context:
– The Dodgers’ offensive rally in the sixth featured a mix of power and timely hits, complementing Kershaw’s steady performance on the mound.
– The Padres’ win earlier in the day keeps the division race tight, adding extra importance to the Dodgers’ ability to close out tight games.
– Ohtani’s continued involvement in the rotation is a notable storyline for the Dodgers, especially as they navigate a busy schedule with limited bullpen depth.
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