Tarik Skubal was on his game for the Tigers, but the Dodgers erased a three-run deficit with two runs in the last two innings to win 4-3 on Friday night.
Shohei Ohtani was the story of the night, launching a ground rule double to deep center to give the Dodgers the lead and ultimately the win. After Teoscar Hernandez singled home Will Smith in the 8th to tie the game, Chris Taylor’s opposite field single started the rally that gave Ohtani the chance to do damage.
James Paxton had a shaky outing once again, but the bullpen was lights out. With 5.1 innings of scoreless baseball, Yohan Ramirez, Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Michael Peterson and Daniel Hudson shut down the Tigers.
The Dodgers are now 56-39 and in first place in the National League West.
Here are the takeaways:
Freeman and Pages Keep Dodgers In It
It looked like Tarik Skubal was going to ravage through the scuffling Dodgers lineup, but Freddie Freeman and Andy Pages had some key moments that gave the team life. Freeman hit his 14th home run in the 4th and Pages had an RBI single later in that same inning to cut the deficit to one.
All-Star, Freddie Freeman! pic.twitter.com/TR2KAIsdlw
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 12, 2024
Freeman’s 2-for-5 effort was the only multi-hit game for the Dodgers on Friday night, but amidst the team’s recent struggles at the plate, his presence was a godsend in the first game against the Tigers.
Ohtani Delivers In The Clutch
Ohtani has been criticized for his lack of ability to come through in the clutch, dating back to his time with the Angels. While his average with RISP this season is subpar, he had a few moments in the past week.
Shohei Ohtani comes through in the 9th! pic.twitter.com/aNgBqXGaJh
— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2024
With a game-tying base hit in the 6th inning against the Phillies in Wednesday’s game and a rocket to center field to take the lead on Friday night, Ohtani has been pretty clutch as of late.
The double in particular is one that the entire team needed badly after a disappointing sweep the previous three games, so it should give the Dodgers an extra jolt moving forward.
Austin Barnes Heating Up
Wild headline I know, but over his past 20 at-bats, Austin Barnes has nine hits. His late pinch-hit base hit off the end of the bat in the 9th inning kept the rally going and set up the game winning double by Ohtani.
7 game hitting streak for Austin Barnes. #Dodgers #Tigers
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) July 13, 2024
If Barnes can keep this streak up heading into the deadline, we may see him get more playing time and see the Dodgers give Will Smith more time off amidst his recent struggles at the dish.
The Dodgers will look to win the series, sending out young left-hander Justin Wrobleski to face Keider Montero for the Tigers. First pitch is set for 10:10 AM PST on Saturday.