Walk-Off Error Victory
Dodgers Rally Past Orioles 6-5 After Late 9th-Inning Throwing Error
A throwing error by Tyler O'Neill in the bottom of the ninth inning handed the Los Angeles Dodgers a dramatic 6-5 walk-off win over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, according to AP News. Dalton Rushing lined a single to right field with two runners on base. O'Neill's throw home sailed past catcher Samuel Basallo, letting Ryan Ward score the winning run from second base.
The Dodgers trailed 5-3 heading into the ninth. They improved to 49-27 on the season, winning their fourth straight game. The Orioles fell to 35-42, having now lost five of their last six, per CBS Sports.
Dodgers Built a Lead, Then Watched It Vanish
Los Angeles jumped out fast. In the first inning, Max Muncy singled home both Mookie Betts and Kyle Tucker to make it 2-0. Andy Pages then added an RBI double in the second, pushing the lead to 3-0, according to MLB.com.
Starter Roki Sasaki was sharp early, retiring 13 straight batters after a leadoff single in the first, per Newsday. But he unraveled in the sixth. Gunnar Henderson hit a two-run homer, then Pete Alonso followed immediately with a solo shot to tie it 3-3. The Orioles then piled on in the seventh. Jeremiah Jackson hit a two-run single off reliever Will Klein, giving Baltimore a 5-3 lead. Sasaki's final line: 5.2 innings, 4 hits, 3 earned runs, 6 strikeouts.
Mookie Betts Sparked the Ninth-Inning Comeback
Orioles closer Ryan Helsley came on to protect the two-run lead. It was only his second appearance back from a seven-week elbow injury. Freddie Freeman grounded out to start the inning. Then Betts launched a solo home run — his eighth of the season — to cut the deficit to 5-4, per AP News.
Helsley then walked Max Muncy and Ryan Ward on back-to-back at-bats to put two runners on base. That brought up Rushing, who fell behind in the count 0-2 before battling back. His line drive to right set up O'Neill's costly throw. Helsley took the loss, dropping his record to 0-3, per WRAL.
Rushing Steps Up While Will Smith Sits Out
Dalton Rushing is filling in for injured catcher Will Smith, who received a cortisone shot for neck discomfort and remains on the injured list, according to NBC Sports. Rushing went 1-for-5 on the night, but his final at-bat was all that mattered. Scouts noted his ability to battle back from an 0-2 count as a sign of maturity and elite potential, per Dodgers 2080.
Shohei Ohtani was also absent from the lineup. The Dodgers DH was away from the team for the birth of his second child, per LA Times. Despite those absences, Los Angeles drew 51,939 fans — a sellout — to the newly renamed UNIQLO Field.
O'Neill Error Puts Baltimore's Costly Signing Under Fire
Tyler O'Neill entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning. He signed a 3-year, $49.5 million contract with Baltimore in the offseason, per News4JAX. His throw to the plate on Rushing's single missed the cutoff man entirely. Baltimore fans reacted with sharp anger online, with some calling for O'Neill to be released.
The series continues Saturday. Baltimore sends Trevor Rogers (3-7, 5.86 ERA) to the mound against Los Angeles ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto (7-4, 2.52 ERA), per KENS5. The Orioles' road record stands at 13-22, ranking among the worst in the American League.
Sentiment
NeutralPublishers
6
Articles
0
Reach
6
