The Los Angeles Dodgers improved their defense Wednesday night and despite continuing to scuffle with runners in scoring position, came away with a 1-0 win over the San Diego Padres in 10 innings. The Dodgers broke their franchise record with 107 wins.
Much like they did in the series opener on Tuesday night, the Dodgers stressed Joe Musgrove and worked his pitch count throughout the start. He completed just five innings but it was a welcomed development considering the Dodgers had four hits and four walks against the right-hander.
Musgrove nevertheless didn’t allow a run and collected eight strikeouts while throwing 106 pitches. He twice escaped a bases-loaded jam by striking out Joey Gallo in both instances. Gallo finished 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.
Julio Urías did his part to keep the game scoreless as he navigated traffic to get through six innings. Urías allowed six hits but was aided by five strikeouts and the Dodgers turning multiple double plays.
Urías didn’t retire the side in order until the fourth inning, and the Padres posed their biggest threat in the sixth. Manny Machado’s walk and Brandon Drury’s base hit put runners at the corners with one out, but Urías retired the next two batters faced as Evan Phillips had started to warm up.
Urías hasn’t allowed more than two runs in a start since July 10, and has a 1.23 ERA in 13 outings since that point. He remains the National League leader with a 2.17 ERA.
Both bullpens traded scoreless innings until Freddie Freeman’s go-ahead RBI single in the 10th. Tommy Kahnle converted his first save since undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The Dodgers went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on base.
Dodgers magic number
Coupled with the Arizona Diamondbacks defeating the Houston Astros, the Dodgers’ magic number for home-field advantage through the World Series was trimmed to two.
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