Miguel Rojas and James Outman homered, while J.D. Martinez had two key run-scoring singles on Friday as the Los Angeles Dodgers moved closer to the National League West title with a 6-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
When the post-season rolls around, the Dodgers know they will need more than just Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman carrying the load at the top of the lineup, which is why a night where the likes of Martinez and Rojas carry the offense is important this late in the season.
“You got the two horses up front with Freddie and [Mookie] and you got to be able to have your three, four or five hitters protect those guys,” Martinez said. “Tonight was one of those things where Freddie and Mookie didn’t have to carry the load for once and we were able to get the job done.”
Photo: AP
Los Angeles can wrap up the NL West for the 10th time in the past 11 seasons with a win over Seattle or help elsewhere in the games to be played this morning Taiwan time.
The San Francisco Giants are to play a doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies, while the Arizona Diamondbacks are to host the Chicago Cubs, with a number of scenarios meaning the Dodgers might be celebrating by the time the games are over.
On Friday, Rojas hit a two-run homer off Seattle starter George Kirby to give Los Angeles the lead in the fifth inning. Max Muncy added an RBI triple, and Martinez had RBI singles in the sixth and eighth innings.
Photo: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY
Outman hit his 20th homer of the season in the ninth inning.
“It’s hard to simulate a playoff [game], but this environment tonight was pretty close,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Seattle failed to gain ground on the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers in the American League West after both teams lost.
The Mariners remained 1.5 games behind the Astros and a game behind the Rangers.
Los Angeles starter Bobby Miller pitched 5-2/3 innings, allowing three runs and striking out seven on the day that Roberts said Miller (10-3) would likely be one of the Dodgers’ first two starting pitchers when the post-season begins.
This start had a playoff feel.
“I love that kind of energy out there. Got the blood flowing a little bit,” Miller said. “I’m all for that kind of stuff. I feel like I stayed really calm out there when it got super loud. I like those moments a lot.”
Miller allowed a solo home run to Eugenio Suarez and an RBI single to Teoscar Hernandez in the sixth inning when Seattle pulled to 4-3.
The Mariners stranded runners in scoring position in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.
Elsewhere on Friday, it was:
‧ Angels 2, Tigers 11
‧ Athletics 3, Padres 8
‧ Cardinals 4, Phillies 5
‧ Blue Jays 3, Red Sox 0
‧ Brewers 5, Nationals 3
‧ Diamondbacks 6, Cubs 4
‧ Guardians 12, Rangers 3
‧ Marlins 9, Braves 6
‧ Orioles 1, Rays 7
‧ Pirates 5, Yankees 7
‧ Rockies 3, Giants 2
‧ Royals 4, Astros 2
‧ White Sox 2, Twins 10
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