Final: Jake Reed gets unlikely save as Dodgers win 4-3
NEW YORK — The Dodgers have been saying for weeks they would prioritize the workload — and health — of their pitching staff down the stretch.
That became abundantly clear in the ninth inning Tuesday, when journeyman reliever Jake Reed, fresh off a call up earlier in the day, was summoned for the save.
He got it, working around a leadoff single by getting a double play and a groundout.
The Dodgers are now 90-38.
Final: Dodgers 4, Mets 3
Andrew Heaney, Heath Hembree escape jams before Gavin Lux puts Dodgers back in front
In the fifth inning, Andrew Heaney stranded runners on the corners by striking out Pete Alonso for the third time tonight.
In the sixth, newly called up reliever Heath Hembree stranded a couple more to keep the game tied.
That allowed the Dodgers to retake the lead in the seventh.
Freddie Freeman rolled a leadoff double down the left-field line. Max Muncy advanced him with a grounder. Then, after the Mets elected to intentionally walk pinch-hitting Will Smith, Gavin Lux made them pay with his second go-ahead hit tonight, lining a two-strike single back up the middle to put the Dodgers back in front.
The Dodgers had the chance to add more later in the inning, but left the bases loaded.
Mid 7th: Dodgers lead 4-3
Mets tie it up with another home run off Andrew Heaney
In his first seven starts this season, Andrew Heaney gave up just one home run.
In the past three, he’s given up six — the latest a solo blast by Mark Canha to tie the game in the fourth inning.
After throwing only two changeups previously on the night, and using the pitch just 3% of the time this season entering the game, Heaney went to the offspeed pitch twice in the at-bat against Canha.
The first one missed outside.
The second was left over the heart of the plate.
End 4th: Tied 3-3
Dodgers surge in front with three runs in third inning
After getting an Austin Barnes single and Mookie Betts double to lead off the third, it looked like the Dodgers might come up empty.
Trea Turner struck out. Freddie Freeman popped up. And after a Max Muncy walk loaded the bases, Joey Gallo came to the plate — greeted by a smattering of boos from fans in New York less than a month after he was traded by the Yankees.
On the first pitch, however, Gallo was plunked in the back by Taijuan Walker, forcing home a run. On the pitch after that, Gavin Lux lined a two-run single the other way to give the Dodgers their first lead.
The Mets got one run back in the bottom half of the inning, when Starling Marte homered off Andrew Heaney. But the Dodgers left-hander also struck out two batters in the inning, giving him six so far tonight.
End 3rd: Dodgers lead 3-2
Mets strike first on Andrew Heaney defensive miscue
The ball appeared to be rolling foul. Andrew Heaney picked it up anyway.
After a Brandon Nimmo single led off the bottom of the first, Starling Marte dropped a bunt up the first base. The ball seemed to be trickling toward the foul line, but before it got there Heaney rushed over and picked it up.
Heaney tried a desperate flip throw to the bag, but the ball was wide of first baseman Freddie Freeman and went into the outfield. By the time Mookie Betts retrieved it, Nimmo was on his way home and Marte was pulling into third.
Heaney hit the next batter, Francisco Lindor, but then bounced back to limit the damage.
He struck out Pete Alonso and Darin Ruf on high fastballs. In between, Lindor was caught stealing at second (on a play where Marte didn’t attempt a double-steal from third).
End 1st: Mets lead 1-0
Dodgers freshen up bullpen for series opener; Clayton Kershaw scheduled to start Thursday
NEW YORK — At the start of a three-game series against the New York Mets, the Dodgers freshened up their bullpen depth Tuesday.
Relievers Jake Reed and Heath Hembree were added to the active roster, while Phil Bickford and Michael Grove were optioned. Eddy Alvarez was also designated for assignment to create space on the 40-man roster.
In even bigger pitching for the Dodgers: Manager Dave Roberts said Clayton Kershaw will make his return from the injured on Thursday in the series finale. It will be Kershaw’s first start since he suffered a back injury on Aug. 4.
For Tuesday’s game, both Justin Turner and Will Smith got the day off against Mets right-hander Taijuan Walker. Roberts said both were just getting normal rest days.
Andrew Heaney will take the mound for the Dodgers, entering the game with a 2-1 record and 1.94 ERA in nine starts this year.
Here is the Dodgers’ full lineup:
There is also a chance Tuesday’s game could be impacted by rain, though Roberts said the weather isn’t expected until later in the game.
Dodgers takeaways: Series at the New York Mets promises postseason allure
NEW YORK — It’s not yet September, but the Dodgers’ magic number to clinch the National League is already down to 15.
Their lead for the majors’ best record is eight games.
And, short of a potential push for MLB’s all-time wins record of 116, there doesn’t appear to be much drama remaining in the Dodgers’ remaining regular season slate.
The three-game series in New York against the Mets that begins Tuesday should be a rare exception.
Despite trailing the Dodgers by eight games for the National League’s top playoff seeding, the Mets loom as perhaps the most formidable challenge in the team’s quest for the pennant, thanks to a versatile lineup and top-heavy pitching staff.
“I’m looking at it as a potential opponent down the road,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s going to be a fun series.”
Here’s how to watch and stream the Dodgers this season
Here’s a look at the Dodgers broadcast and streaming schedule for the remainder of the 2022 regular season: