Adley Rutschman turned in a strange little slice of history at Camden Yards, homering twice in his return to the ballpark and doing it against the Red Sox after he’d already hit a pair of homers against Boston earlier this year as a member of the Orioles. That made him the first player with a two-homer game for two different teams against each other in the same season, according to OptaSTATS on X.
In Los Angeles, Teoscar Hernandez delivered the swing that kept the Dodgers from getting swept. The Cardinals were two outs from finishing off the job Thursday, and Riley O’Brien was protecting a one-run lead when the inning started to wobble.
He retired Freddie Freeman to open the frame, then allowed a single to Tommy Edman and issued a walk to Mookie Betts. Hernandez stepped in and ripped a double that brought both runners home.
That came after the Dodgers had already let a big chance slip away in the eighth, when they came up empty with the bases loaded. By the time Hernandez connected, Los Angeles was mired in a 1-for-26 slump with runners in scoring position, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. The walk-off win moved the Dodgers back into a tie with the Braves for the final first-round bye in the National League.
On the pitching front, Garrett Crochet is set for a bullpen session today as he continues his return from shoulder inflammation, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Interim manager Chad Tracy said, “ I don’t think it’ll be an excessive amount of pitches,” and added, “ This is first time off the slope, actually pitching off the slope, not just playing catch.
So we’ll see how that goes. Hopefully it goes well and we’ll progress him from there.”
Crochet hasn’t pitched since late April while dealing with the shoulder issue and then a lat strain, and if he does make it back to the big-league club, the expectation is that he’ll return as a reliever.
The Braves and Phillies are also heading into a huge run against each other, with seven meetings coming over the next 10 games. That stretch begins tonight in Philadelphia with a four-game series, and Atlanta brings a four-game lead in the NL East into it.
Chris Sale gets the ball for the Braves, while Cristopher Sanchez starts for the home team. Sale is fresh off a complete-game shutout of the Dodgers, and Sanchez last time out tossed seven shutout innings against the Angels.
In Other News...
Disturbing Scene Unfolded Near Dodger Stadium During Wednesdays Game
Police were called to the area near Dodger Stadium during Wednesdays game and found a man deceased outside the ballpark, a grim scene unfolding in the shadow of one of baseballs most familiar venues. Authorities have not identified the man, and at this stage they do not suspect foul play, leaving the focus on the work still ahead for investigators and the medical examiners office.
The case remains under investigation as officials try to determine what happened and notify next of kin. For a Dodgers crowd used to tracking every pitch and playoff race detail, the news was a stark reminder that the action around a game can sometimes extend far beyond the field. [Read more 🡒]
Disturbing Scene Unfolded Outside Dodger Stadium During Cardinals Game
Los Angeles police were called to the area near Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night while the Cardinals were in town, and officers later found a man dead outside the ballpark. The man has not been identified, but authorities said they do not suspect foul play.
The investigation remains open as officials work to notify the mans next of kin, leaving unanswered questions about how the scene unfolded near one of baseballs busiest settings. For a Dodgers crowd already focused on the game, the discovery added a somber note to an otherwise ordinary night around the stadium. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Prospects Just Put More Pressure On A Crowded Depth Chart
The Dodgers farm system kept churning Wednesday, and the offensive noise came from a pair of Double-A bats who gave Tulsa another reminder that the organizations infield and outfield depth is anything but settled. Jake Gelof and Kole Myers each launched two home runs in the Drillers win, while the club also shuffled its roster with pitcher Aidan Foeller and second baseman Sean McLain coming off injury lists and Adrian Marrero moving down to Class-A Ontario.
At Triple-A Oklahoma City, Alek Thomas supplied the deciding punch with a go-ahead two-run homer, and starter Jackson Ferris turned in a strong outing on the mound. The days movement also included Ben Rortvedt heading to Oklahoma City, another small but notable sign of how many players are pushing for position as the Dodgers sort through an increasingly crowded depth chart. [Read more 🡒]