After two straight losses to San Diego, the Dodgers won 8-2 to split the series and pull even atop the NL West. The offense exploded after being largely silent for the first two games, which produced only two runs and five hits. Manager Dave Roberts emphasized late-season mindset over mechanics, urging hitters to help the team win, take what pitchers give, shorten swings at times, and manufacture runs. Rookie Alex Freeland supplied two of the early hits with his first big-league home runs. With five weeks left and injured run producers approaching returns, a collective will to score can restore consistency.
"This time of the season, it's not about the mechanics, your swing," he said. "It's about how, 'Can I help the team win?' ... We're at the end of August. It's just about getting the job done and finding a way to find some production. "You have to, again, take what the pitcher gives you and try to create something.
"Let's just get back to being who we are, and doing those little things; scratching and clawing; finding ways and willing yourself, your team, your offense to score some runs," Roberts said. "I do believe that that kind of desire will manifest itself. I do."
Collection
[
|
...
]