The Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox had their hitting shoes on Thursday night at home, both earning convincing wins over formidable opponents. First, the Los Angeles Dodgers earned a series split with the Milwaukee Brewers by blowing them out at Dodger Stadium, 21-5. Cody Bellinger connected with a grand slam to get the party started early on, while Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson both went deep twice.
Brian Dozier left the ballpark for a second straight game to begin his Dodgers career, while Justin Turner returned from the disabled list with a long ball for the powerful Dodgers, who took over the top spot in the NL West. They now have a one-game lead on the Arizona Diamondbacks, who fell to the San Francisco Giants, 8-1, at home Thursday night. Los Angeles hit a season-high tying seven home runs, while also setting season highs for runs in a game, along with runs in an inning when they scored nine in the seventh inning.
Clayton Kershaw was the recipient of all of this run support, earning his fifth win after giving up two runs on five hits over six innings. The left-hander struck out seven and walked two, earning his fourth win in his past six starts. He did surrender home runs to Christian Yelich and Jesus Aguilar, but the Brewers were unable to capitalize on the Chicago Cubs' loss to the San Diego Padres. They remain a game behind them for first place in the division.
Meanwhile, in the American League, the Boston Red Sox cruised in their rivalry with the New York Yankees with a 15-7 blowout at Fenway Park. Steve Pearce led the way in this one with three home runs, as the Red Sox extended their AL East lead to 6.5 games. New York did get off to a 4-0 lead, but a nine-run fourth inning put Boston ahead for good, an inning that was headlined by Pearce's second home run, a three-run shot.
It was Pearce's first-career three-home run game, as he joined J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler, and Andrew Benintendi all had three hits. Elsewhere, Mookie Betts finished with four hits and two walks, as he reached base in all six plate appearances. Most of the Red Sox damage came on the Yankees bullpen, as New York manager Aaron Boone made a questionable call to pull starter C.C. Sabathia after just three innings, depsite leading 4-2 at the time. Jonathan Holder replaced him, faced seven batters, but did not record an out in his second loss of the year.
Pearce had a solo shot and a two-run home run for Boston, who acquired him about a month ago. The best team in baseball has now won five of their past six games and 20 of 25 to improve to a season-high tying 42 games over .500. Didi Gregorius went deep twice, while Aaron Hicks and Giancarlo Stanton both hit long balls in the Yankees' loss. This rivalry will continue with three more games in "Beantown" this weekend.
Brian Dozier left the ballpark for a second straight game to begin his Dodgers career, while Justin Turner returned from the disabled list with a long ball for the powerful Dodgers, who took over the top spot in the NL West. They now have a one-game lead on the Arizona Diamondbacks, who fell to the San Francisco Giants, 8-1, at home Thursday night. Los Angeles hit a season-high tying seven home runs, while also setting season highs for runs in a game, along with runs in an inning when they scored nine in the seventh inning.
Clayton Kershaw was the recipient of all of this run support, earning his fifth win after giving up two runs on five hits over six innings. The left-hander struck out seven and walked two, earning his fourth win in his past six starts. He did surrender home runs to Christian Yelich and Jesus Aguilar, but the Brewers were unable to capitalize on the Chicago Cubs' loss to the San Diego Padres. They remain a game behind them for first place in the division.
Meanwhile, in the American League, the Boston Red Sox cruised in their rivalry with the New York Yankees with a 15-7 blowout at Fenway Park. Steve Pearce led the way in this one with three home runs, as the Red Sox extended their AL East lead to 6.5 games. New York did get off to a 4-0 lead, but a nine-run fourth inning put Boston ahead for good, an inning that was headlined by Pearce's second home run, a three-run shot.
It was Pearce's first-career three-home run game, as he joined J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler, and Andrew Benintendi all had three hits. Elsewhere, Mookie Betts finished with four hits and two walks, as he reached base in all six plate appearances. Most of the Red Sox damage came on the Yankees bullpen, as New York manager Aaron Boone made a questionable call to pull starter C.C. Sabathia after just three innings, depsite leading 4-2 at the time. Jonathan Holder replaced him, faced seven batters, but did not record an out in his second loss of the year.
Pearce had a solo shot and a two-run home run for Boston, who acquired him about a month ago. The best team in baseball has now won five of their past six games and 20 of 25 to improve to a season-high tying 42 games over .500. Didi Gregorius went deep twice, while Aaron Hicks and Giancarlo Stanton both hit long balls in the Yankees' loss. This rivalry will continue with three more games in "Beantown" this weekend.
