The Dodgers matched the Indians hit-for-hit Friday night but Cleveland got more of them when it counted.
It’s also why they won 10-3.
A day after mustering just one hit the entire game the Indians busted out the bats big time.
They scored eight of their 10 runs by going 7 for 12 as a team with runners in scoring position. They had 13 total hits for the game.
Their three-run first inning also snapped a 21-inning scoreless streak.
Lonnie Chisenhall hit his ninth home run of the year. David Murphy came into the game in a 1 for 44 slump. He broke out of it by going 3 for 4 with two RBIs.
On the flip side, the Dodgers went 3 for 11 with runners in scoring position.
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Their lack of production in three specific bases loaded situations pretty much summed up their night.
Carlos Triunfel ended the initial opportunity by striking out with the bases juiced to end the first inning.
Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier combined to squander the next chance in the second. With the bases loaded and one out Kemp struck out. Ethier fouled off what looked to be ball four, which would’ve scored a run, then grounded out to first base to end the inning.
Kemp finished 0 for 4 with three strikeouts. He leads the team with 77 on the season.
The hat trick of futility was completed in the fifth.
Down 5-3, Kemp walked to lead off the inning. Ethier and Juan Uribe followed with singles. But, Drew Butera and pinch hitters Hanley Ramirez and Clint Robinson all followed by foul-tipping balls into the glove of catcher Yan Gomes for strikeouts. Another goose egg.
The Dodgers struck out a total of 14 times as a team.
They were apparently done mounting rallies because they failed to get a runner to second base the rest of the game.
All was not lost for fans at Dodger Stadium. They were treated to the rare triple-play.
With Dee Gordon on third, Yasiel Puig on first and one out in the fourth, Adrian Gonzalez came to the plate. He hit a fly ball to the shallow part of left field for out number one. Gordon tagged up and tried to score. With his speed he would’ve scored easily on a bad throw. Unfortunately, Michael Brantley tossed a perfect bullet to nail Gordon at home. Out number two. With all that happening, for some reason Puig waited for Gomes to turn his back to the field, show the umpire he had the ball on the tag and stand idly for three more seconds before he attempted to advance to second base. The throw beat Puig but he was called safe. After a review the call was overturned. Out number three and 7-2-4 triple-play complete.
Gonzalez did hit his 14 homer this year. His two RBIs also gives him 52.
Josh Beckett came into Friday’s matchup with the third lowest ERA in the National League but the Indians touched him for five runs in five innings. The right-hander did strike out five Cleveland batters but the loss drops him to 5-5.
Justin Masterson allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out seven. But, with two on in the fourth and his pitch count already at 85 the night was cut short for the Indians starter.
Kyle (2-0) Crockett pitched one shutout inning for the win.
