MLB
Kemp Goes 5-5: The Dodgers Destroyed The Pirates 17-1!
That’s right; there was no typo. You did not read wrong. In case you missed the game last night, the Dodgers destroyed the Pirates 17-1! It was an all-out slaughtering, in which the Dodgers belted 21 hits and batted around their lineup not once, not twice, but in three consecutive innings, being the first team to do so in seven years. If you’re a Pirate fan, the game was embarrassing to watch, as the Pirates came apart defensively and couldn’t get anything going offensively. However, if you’re a fan of the Boys in Blue, my guess is that you had perma-smile throughout the entire game.
Kemp Proves He’s An All-Star
After slumping in June, only batting .220 and having his overall average drop to .303, it appears that slump is over. Last night, Kemp went 5-5, with a 3-run home run and just a triple away from the cycle. He is now 8-9 with two doubles, two home runs, and 8 RBIs to start out the month of July, raising his average up to .323 and home run total to 15. Matt Kemp honestly looks like the Matt Kemp of old and has proved he more than deserves to be an All-Star game starter. The fans think so as well, as Kemp currently has the second most All-Star votes for an outfielder.
In addition to Matt Kemp’s big night, many of the Dodgers contributed to their big win. In the third inning, Cody Bellinger drilled his 17th Belli Bomb to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. Next, to start off a six-run fourth inning, Joc Pederson and Max Muncy hit back to back dingers. It was Pederson’s 12th home run and Muncy’s team-leading 18th Muncy Mash. The Dodgers ended up batting around in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings! Further, Justin Turner went 2-4. Chris Taylor went 3-5. Yasmani Granhal went 2-3 with a double, and Yasiel Puig went 3-5 with two doubles and 4 RBIs.
Alex Wood Delivers
Alex Wood delivered last night, giving up just one run in six innings. Wood struck out three and didn’t walk anyone in his fifth win. Caleb Ferguson came in for relief in the last three innings for a very high pressure 16-run save. It was Ferguson’s first save, and he earned it on his 22nd birthday. Ferguson said about his save, ”I didn’t realize it until after the game. It’s awesome, especially on my birthday.”. Ferguson’s move to the bullpen could give him the confidence he needs to be a significant contributor to the Dodger pitching staff.
Up Next
The Dodgers play the Pirates the next two games. Clayton Kershaw is matched up tonight against Ivan Nova. They have yet to announce Wednesday’s starter. Friday they head to Anaheim for a Freeway Series against the Angels. The Dodgers are currently 1.5 games out of first, so are looking to change that in the next few games. The Dodgers destroyed The Pirates in game one, can they do it again in game two?
