5/19/23 LV:

Ladies and gentlemen, gather ’round for a thrilling recap of Friday night’s clash between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals. In a game filled with excitement, Mookie Betts unleashed a three-run bomb, while Tony Gonsolin and the Dodgers’ bullpen combined their talents to stifle the Cardinals’ offense, resulting in a resounding 5-0 triumph.

Gonsolin, who has been steadily making his way back from a spring training ankle injury, took the mound and delivered a masterful performance. With just one hit surrendered and two walks allowed over five innings, he showcased the All-Star form that defined his 2022 season. This victory followed his recent five-scoreless-innings gem against San Diego, setting the stage for another remarkable outing.

After a remarkable offensive display the day prior, in which the Cardinals flexed their muscles with seven homers and a whopping 16 runs, they were unable to replicate that success on this occasion. Mustering a mere two singles, their bats were silenced by the combined efforts of Brusdar Graterol, Shelby Miller, Caleb Ferguson, and Tyler Cyr, who followed Gonsolin on the mound and shut down the Cardinals’ hopes.

Taking the mound for the Cardinals, Steven Matz faced a formidable challenge. Over the course of 4 2/3 innings, he conceded six hits, including four doubles. The sole run he allowed was unearned. Matz has not tasted victory for St. Louis since September 17 of the previous year when he made a relief appearance. His most recent triumph as a starter dates back to July 23, 2022, against Cincinnati.

The Dodgers took the lead in the fifth inning when Chris Taylor crushed a double to deep left field, bringing Mookie Betts home. Betts reached base on a throwing error committed by third baseman Nolan Arenado. With two outs on the board, Matz believed he had struck out J.D. Martinez, but to his dismay, the pitch was called ball four. Seizing the opportunity, Taylor ripped a line drive into the corner, snapping his hitless streak and forcing Matz out of the game.

But Betts wasn’t done making his mark on the contest. In the eighth inning, he wasted no time, launching the first pitch he saw from Chris Stratton into the left field bullpen for a majestic home run. It marked Betts’ 10th long ball of the season, further solidifying the Dodgers’ status as the National League’s home run leaders, tied with Atlanta with 75 round-trippers. Later in the inning, Will Smith added to the Dodgers’ lead with a run-scoring single following Freddie Freeman’s double, stretching the advantage to a comfortable 5-0 margin.

In other notable moments, Paul Goldschmidt continued his thieving ways, swiping second base in the third inning. He now boasts an impressive streak of 30 consecutive stolen bases without being caught, currently the longest active streak in all of Major League Baseball. Furthermore, as a team, the Cardinals have successfully executed 20 consecutive stolen bases, resulting in a league-leading stolen base percentage of 87.5%. This marks their best single-season performance in franchise history, surpassing their 2021 team’s success rate of 80.2%.

Let us not forget the defensive brilliance on display as well. Center fielder James Outman showcased his athleticism in the sixth inning, leaping high into the air to rob Goldschmidt of a potential home run that would have found a resting place in the right field bleachers.

In terms of roster moves, the Dodgers made a transaction by selecting the contract of right-handed pitcher Tyler Cyr and opting to send Andre Jackson to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Turning our attention to the health of the players, it’s worth noting that Dodgers right-hander Michael Grove, who has been recovering from a right groin strain, has been engaging in batting practice sessions at the training facility in Arizona. However, he is not yet ready for a rehab assignment after departing his April 20 start in the fourth inning.

As for the Cardinals, right fielder Tommy Edman was absent from the starting lineup due to lower abdominal soreness but made a pinch-hit appearance in the eighth inning, only to strike out. This setback came after a collision with center fielder Lars Nootbar, who valiantly ventured into deep territory in pursuit of a long drive that Edman ultimately caught.

And there you have it, folks! A captivating recap of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ commanding 5-0 triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals. We bid you farewell, eagerly anticipating the next chapter of exhilarating baseball action.