Sunday, May 26, 2024
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2024
With an hour and ten minutes’ rain delay, the Cincinnati Reds, who came in the series with a record of 6 wins and 20 losses in their 26 games, swept the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed four runs in five innings even though he pitched well. The Reds defeated 4-to-1. The Dodgers’ lead in the National League Western Division has shrunk to four games over the San Francisco Giants.
This sweep wasn’t Dave Roberts’ fault. He showed he cared for his players as a human being in the eighth. He knows how to motivate his players. He didn’t push the wrong buttons.
Sunday, the Dodgers showed they were tired. They didn’t have any spark or excitement. This team is veterans, and they must know how to motivate themselves. Yes, it was an early game. However, it is the major leagues, and players must play their best no matter how they feel.
Mookie Betts singled in the first and he moved to second on Shohei Ohtani’s ground out. Again, the Dodgers stranded Betts.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed a double but struck out the side in the side in the first.
In the second, Andy Pages reached on an error. Gavin Lux hit into a double play. The Dodgers had another scoring opportunity that they wasted.
In the second inning, though allowed a single, Yamamoto changed speeds effectively and had an excellent command. His curveball was outstanding. He didn’t allow any runs.
The Dodgers did nothing in the third.
In the third, Yamamoto allowed another single and a walk. Another infield single filled the bases. He allowed four runs before he struck out the last batter.
With two outs in the fourth, Teoscar Hernández doubled but was left.
Yamamoto hurled a perfect fourth.
The Dodgers’ offense did nothing in the fifth, making it an official game.
Yamamoto pitched a perfect fifth.
After an hour’s delay, the game continued. The Dodgers’ offense did nothing in the sixth.
Anthony Banda hurled a perfect sixth.
With one out in the seventh, Hernández doubled but was stranded.
Banda continued pitching in the seventh and allowed a soft-hit single. He didn’t allow any runs.
In the eighth, the Dodgers went quickly.
Yohan Ramirez was wild but got out of the jam after Dave Roberts had a heartfelt conversation with him on the mound.
Shohei Ohtani singled with one out in the ninth and scored on Freddie Freeman’s double. Freeman went to third by a sstolen base.
