Visually Reserved, Sonically Startling

British audio manufacturer Q Acoustics has been making a name for itself across the pond for 12 years, but the brand didn’t set up shop in the United States until just two years ago. The timing proved fortuitous (or perhaps well planned—take your pick) because last year the company released its most impressive floor-standing speaker […]

26.09.2018No comments
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Angels beat Rangers on Jose Briceño’s pinch-hit, walk-off home run

  • The Angels’ Jose Briceno hits a pinch-hit, walk-off home run in the 11th inning of their 5-4 victory over the Rangers on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Jose Briceno #10 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates as rounds the bases after hitting a pinch hit walk off home run in the eleventh inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Jose Briceno #10 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates as he crosses the plate after hitting a pinch hit walk off home run in the eleventh inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Mike Trout #27 celebrates with Jose Briceno #10 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after he hit a pinch hit walk off home run in the eleventh inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Jefry Marte #19 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pours a cooler of ice water on Jose Briceno #10 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after he hit a pinch hit walk off home run in the eleventh inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim gets high fives in the dugout after hitting a solo home run off the first pitch he saw in the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits a solo home run off the first pitch he saw in the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits a solo home run off the first pitch he saw in the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Felix Pena #64 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches in the first inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Jurickson Profar #19 of the Texas Rangers hits a two run home run in the sixth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Jurickson Profar #19 celebrates with Rougned Odor #12 of the Texas Rangers after hitting a two run home run in the sixth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Michael Hermosillo #59 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Anaheim is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a one run home run in the fifth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Jefry Marte #19 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Anaheim of Anaheim is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a one run home run in the fifth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Michael Hermosillo #59 is congratulated by Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Anaheim is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a one run home in the fifth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Manager Don Wakamatsu #23 pulls starting pitcher Adrian Sampson #52 as Rougned Odor #12 and catcher Isiah Kiner-Falefa #9 of the Texas Rangers look on in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Pinch runner Delino DeShields #3 of the Texas Rangers beats the throw to Francisco Arcia #37 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on a single by Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers to tie the score in the ninth inning at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, of Japan, breaks his bat and grounds out against the Texas Rangers during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout reacts after a strike against the Texas Rangers during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, of Japan, breaks his bat and grounds out against the Texas Rangers during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Kole Calhoun tosses his helmet after striking out against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Michael Hermosillo, left, gets a hug from Mike Trout after his home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Jefry Marte watches his home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Jefry Marte, left, rounds the bases after a run home run off Texas Rangers starting pitcher Adrian Sampson during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

  • Texas Rangers’ Jurickson Profar watches his two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

  • Texas Rangers’ Jurickson Profar celebrates after his two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Jose Fernandez gets out of the way of a pitch during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

  • Texas Rangers’ Jurickson Profar celebrates after his two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

  • Texas Rangers’ Delino DeShields, right, scores past Los Angeles Angels catcher Francisco Arcia on a single by Elvis Andrus during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

  • ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Jefry Marte #19 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pours a cooler of ice water on Jose Briceno #10 after he hit a pinch hit walk off home run in the eleventh inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium on September 24, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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ANAHEIM — Few details of the Angels’ plan Monday against the Texas Rangers looked ideal. In that way, it was the perfect September test for a young team far from postseason contention.

Andrelton Simmons missed the game with a sore knee, so Kaleb Cowart got his first major league start at shortstop. Jose Fernandez got his first start at second base and made his debut in the cleanup spot. He did not hit a home run but rookie left fielder Michael Hermosillo did – also a first.

After a blown save by first-time closer Ty Buttrey came the finishing touch: Rookie catcher Jose Briceño hit a pinch-hit, walk-off home run against Matt Moore (3-8) in the 11th inning to cap the Angels’ 5-4 win, snapping a five-game losing streak.

It was only the second game the Angels have won this season with a home run in their final at-bat.

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“That experience is something that can only help them,” Scioscia said of his young players. “We just want to put them in a good role, let them play baseball, and this experience is what it’s about. You want them to see what the big leagues are about, understand what adjustments you have to make.”

Briceño’s fifth home run this season was only the second pinch-hit home run by an Angel in 2018. Coincidentally, Briceño hit the first Sunday in Houston.

Though a rookie, Briceño is 26, an age that often constitutes a baseball player’s prime. He also defies the prototype of a career starter at every minor-league level tasked with performing off a major league bench. Pinch-hitting was one of Briceño’s strengths before he was making big-league money.

“In Venezuela, when I was there, I hit like a few homers (as) a pinch-hitter too,” he said.

A reporter jokingly asked Briceño if he merely did not want to catch into the wee hours after replacing Francisco Arcia.

“I mean, no,” Briceño said, laughing.

Shohei Ohtani and Jefry Marte also hit home runs for the Angels (76-81), who avoided matching their longest losing streak of the season.

Five days after one of the worst games of his career, Angels starter Felix Peña allowed three runs over seven innings before the announced crowd of 29,052 at Angel Stadium.

The Angels took a 4-3 lead into the ninth inning. Buttrey got two quick outs, then blew the save when Ronald Guzman doubled and scored on an Elvis Andrus single, tying the score at 4.

It was the second blown save in as many games for Buttrey, who converted his first four save opportunities after being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake. Buttrey was charged with five runs in the eighth inning Saturday in Houston.

Ohtani gave the Angels a 1-0 lead in the first inning with his 21st home run of the season, extending his record for the most ever by a Japanese-born rookie. Estimated at 428 feet, its fate was assured long before it landed between two tunnels in the right field bleachers.

“Got all barrel,” Ohtani said through his interpreter.

Ronald Guzman’s solo home run to right field tied the score 1-1 in the second inning. The Angels pulled ahead 3-1 on the home runs by Hermosillo and Marte. In the sixth inning, Texas tied the score when Jurickson Profar sent an 0-and-1 slider from Peña over the right field fence for a two-run home run.

The Angels pulled ahead in the bottom of the sixth inning. The first batter, Marte, was hit in the right hand with a pitch from Rangers starter Adrian Sampson. He advanced to second base on a balk and reached third on a groundout by Arcia.

Rookie Connor Sadzeck was summoned from the bullpen to pitch to Hermosillo and threw a changeup in the dirt on 3-and-2. When the pitch eluded catcher Isiah Kiner-Falefa and bounced toward the backstop, Marte scored easily from third base to give the Angels a 4-3 lead.

Peña came back out for the seventh inning, did not allow a run, and left in line for the victory. He allowed a total of five hits, walked one batter and struck out six. It was a vast improvement over his most recent start, a four-inning debacle last Wednesday in Oakland in which he allowed six runs. The Angels lost that game 10-0 and had not won since.

A reliever at Triple-A to begin the season, Peña has been given a long audition as a starter since June. His numbers have improved since leaving the bullpen; his earned-run average in 17 major league starts is now an even 4.00.

“I feel confident this is where I want to be,” Peña said through an interpreter. “I don’t want to be in the bullpen. Hopefully, this is the new role for me.”

Angels center fielder Mike Trout finished 0 for 3 with two walks, giving him a franchise-record 117 walks for the season. Trout was the previous record-holder too. He walked 116 times in 2016.

Taylor Cole (3-2), another rookie, pitched a scoreless 11th inning to pick up the win.

Hermosillo said he got to keep the baseball, which landed near the Angels’ bullpen. Ohtani did not keep his, but he is accustomed to swatting souvenirs into the stands. Only three American League rookies have hit more home runs this season than Ohtani.

While the Angels’ other rookies can only be rewarded with the benefit of major league experience, Ohtani might win the AL Rookie of the Year award.

“It’s a huge honor for me to be a candidate still this late in the season,” he said. “I can accomplish something here late in the season personally; I take that very positive. Still got five games left. I want to finish up strong and hopefully carry it over to next season.”

PINCH HIT WALK OFF HOME RUN!!!!

You’re going to want to watch this celebration 😂😂@Angels | @MLBonFOX pic.twitter.com/i8dciNHV79

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) September 25, 2018

A ripped shirt, an ice bath and a discussion about a pinch hit walk-off homer

This may possibly be the best interview in the history of sports@Angels | @Alex_Curry pic.twitter.com/nFzyriwHGZ

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) September 25, 2018

There’s nothing despacito about this one 👀#ShoTime | @MLBonFOX pic.twitter.com/zcFluNTKpg

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) September 25, 2018

A trot 23 years in the making

Congrats, @mhermosillo10, on your first-career home run! pic.twitter.com/tmdTsScw7f

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) September 25, 2018

It was a surreal moment for all those watching too, @mhermosillo10

Congratulations once again on the first home run of many 🙌👏@Angels | @Alex_Curry pic.twitter.com/ZB8jiynQop

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) September 25, 2018

25.09.2018No comments
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Dodgers move closer to clinching with late rally to beat Diamondbacks

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray delivers against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ David Freese connects for a run-scoring single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor (3) celebrates his run scored against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Manny Machado (8) during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) gets a visit from catcher John Ryan Murphy, left, and shortstop Nick Ahmed (13) during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (53) scoops up a low throw to get out Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner (10) at first during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting an RBI triple during the first inning as Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • Arizona Diamondbacks’ Eduardo Escobar (14) celebrates his run scored against the Los Angeles Dodgers with David Peralta, left, and manager Torey Lovullo (17) during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a first inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw, left, walks around the mound after giving up a home run to Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte, right, during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte points to the crowd as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez pauses at home plate after striking out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ David Freese (25) celebrates his home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Enrique Hernandez (14) during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • Arizona Diamondbacks’ Christian Walker, right, gets off balance while striking out as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, reaches over to tag Walker during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: David Freese #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off of Robbie Ray #38 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers tosses his bat after striking out during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes a diving catch during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers gestures to his dugout while standing on second base during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Tim Locastro #70 of the Los Angeles Dodgers scores on a single by teammate Max Muncy #13 during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Tim Locastro (70) slides across home plate to score a run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Manager Torey Lovullo #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks talks with Nick Ahmed #13, John Ryan Murphy #36 and teammates on the mound during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after scoring on a fielders choice by teammate Manny Machado #8 during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig celebrates his run scored against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on from the top step of the dugout during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Kenta Maeda #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers an eighth inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. Dodgers won 7-4. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Head athletic trainer Ryan DiPanfilo and third base coach Tony Perezchica #8 of the Arizona Diamondbacks tend to Christian Walker #52 after being hit in the face by a pitch by Kenta Maeda #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda reacts after hitting the Diamondbacks’ Christian Walker in the face with a pitch during the eighth inning of Monday’s game in Phoenix. The Dodgers won 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 24: Joc Pederson #31 the Los Angeles Dodgers is held back by teammate Austin Barnes #15 while arguing with home plate umpire Joe West #22 after being called out on strikes during the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. Pederson was ejected and the Dodgers won 7-4. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson (31) argues with umpire Joe West, left, after Pederson was thrown out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 7-4. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • The Dodgers’ Chase Utley scores a run on a wild pitch by Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, right, during the ninth inning of Monday’s game in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • Dodgers left fielder Alex Verdugo jumps in vain for home run hit by the Diamondbacks’ A.J. Pollock during the ninth inning of Monday’s game in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen, right, and catcher Austin Barnes celebrate after the final out of a 7-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night in Phoenix. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

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PHOENIX — Put the pool noodles and floaties away for the winter. The pool is closed.

The slim chance of the Dodgers clinching a sixth consecutive division title at Chase Field – site of clinching parties in 2013 and after the National League Division Series last year – dissolved Monday night despite the Dodgers’ 7-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Colorado Rockies also won Monday so the Dodgers’ lead in the NL West remains 1½ games with six days left in the regular season.

The Dodgers’ magic number to clinch the division title did drop to five, but the earliest they can clinch now is Thursday (an off day for the Dodgers but not the Rockies). The Atlanta Braves were off Monday and now lead the Dodgers by only a half-game for home-field advantage in a potential best-of-five NLDS matchup.

“We can’t approach a day looking for help,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think we put ourselves in a situation where we’re in the driver’s seat. There’s going to be some scoreboard-watching. That’s only natural. But it’s upon us to kind of take care of our own business.”

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They have done that in September by using a deep roster to grind down the opposition. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo saw it Monday as the Dodgers scored five runs in the final three innings.

“It’s like their engine gets started, and as soon it as gets started they have a lot of resources,” Lovullo said. “They turn their lineup over a couple of times, get good matchups with good players ready to perform. They’re chasing something, so they are an energized team. It was a tough couple of innings, the last couple of innings.”

But it might have started with a fly out to left in the fifth inning.

Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray needed 11 pitches to get Justin Turner out that way. Three pitches later, August acquisition David Freese tied the score 2-2 with a solo home run.

“I’ve had the opportunity to hit behind some professional hitters and J.T. is right there with the best of them,” Freese said. “He’s definitely a guy you can learn from.”

Used off the bench and against left-handed pitching, Freese is batting .344 (11 for 32) with eight RBIs since joining the Dodgers from the Pirates.

“I really like the at-bat quality and he’s had some big hits for us,” Roberts said. “In the clubhouse, he’s a leader, doing things the right way. Guys tend to follow him and gravitate toward him. When we’re talking about approach and having a plan as a team, he’s all in.”

Ketel Marte was the key to whatever plan the Diamondbacks had against Clayton Kershaw. Marte was 3 for 3 against Kershaw with a triple and a home run and three RBIs.

Marte’s flared single gave the Diamondbacks a 3-2 lead in the sixth. But Ray was already at 100 pitches and Lovullo went to his bullpen.

“You see how the game was going. You’re in the fifth inning and I know they wanted to get him through six with the lead,” Roberts said. “J.T.’s at-bat, 11 pitches, you could see he was gassed. … The gas was out of the tank for him right there. J.T.’s at-bat was big.”

The Dodgers were 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position against Ray. But things changed in the seventh.

A walk to Yasmani Grandal and a single up the middle by Yasiel Puig, pinch-hitting for Kershaw – against a left-handed reliever (Andrew Chafin) no less – started the go-ahead rally. Brad Ziegler came in to face Max Muncy, who sent one of his sidearm sinkers into left field for an RBI single to tie the score. Two batters later, the bases were loaded with one out for Machado. He drove in the tie-breaking run with a groundout.

In the ninth, a grab bag of two run-scoring wild pitches, a walk, a single and an RBI double by Machado put the game away.

“To get Ray out of there after five I thought was a win for our offense,” Roberts said. “To get to their bullpen and kind of play the matchup game – you look at the at-bats we had from guys coming off the bench, that was the difference in the game.”

The Dodgers made the lead stand up with a relief relay from Caleb Ferguson to Scott Alexander to Kenta Maeda to Kenley Jansen.

They didn’t do it smoothly.

In the eighth, a fastball that Maeda lost up and in hit Christian Walker in the face guard he wears on his helmet and glanced off his face. Walker left the game, holding a towel to his bleeding face.

And in the ninth, Jansen served up a home run to A.J. Pollock before closing it out.

“They’re not making it easy. That’s a good ballclub over there,” Kershaw said of the second-place Rockies. “Control what we can control and all that cliche stuff.”

Flip the script. pic.twitter.com/Iw3Ky9uxbT

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 25, 2018

Wild Wild West. pic.twitter.com/FN9R23WdI0

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 25, 2018

.@ClaytonKersh22 reflects on his 6-inning outing with @alannarizzo and applauds the offense for chipping away at the D-backs pitching staff. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/l1YPOAD0os

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 25, 2018

25.09.2018No comments
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