Gavin Lux’s two-run double in the ninth inning made up for his fielding error, and Los Angeles Dodgers averted a four-game series sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies with a 5-4 victory on Sunday.
In the second inning, the player let a simple two-out grounder roll through his legs, and the Phillies took advantage of the opportunity to score four unearned runs.
“Probably shouldn’t even have been in that situation anyway, so I kind of had to make up for earlier,” said Lux.
After Lux’s error, the Phillies came to lead 4-0, but it then became 4-2 after pitcher Aaron Nola pitched seven tough innings of four-hit ball. Lux took a leadoff walk and scored on right fielder Mookie Betts’ double off Jeurys Familia in the eighth, but the bullpen was able to escape with two groundouts.
Philadelphia then came within one strike of completing its first four-game sweep at Dodger Stadium since 1985 but fell short. Outfielder Cody Bellinger produced a two-strike two-out-triple off reliever Corey Knebel.
Lux drove in both runners after utility player Chris Taylor walked with a push to the right-field corner.
Betts also hit a home run for the Dodgers, who averted their first five-game losing streak since April of this year. Dodgers had not won in a walk-off since July 20 of last year.
“I’m sure [the error] was on Gavin’s mind all day long,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “I don’t want to say it’s the biggest win of the year with a short sample, but it’s a big one. Guys are feeling real good right now.”
“Probably shouldn’t even have been in that situation anyway, so I kind of had to make up for earlier,” Lux said after his first career walk-off RBI.
“You can’t always be in front,” said Bellinger. “It’s nice to get hit with some adversity and see how we respond because it’s not always going to be smooth sailing.”
Phillies’ stuggle against Dodgers
First baseman Rhys Hoskins hit a two-run single in the Phillies’ second defeat of a seven-game trip to the West Coast, ending a four-game winning streak.
Catcher Garrett Stubbs got two singles and drove in a run, but the Phillies were unable to return to .500 for the first time since April 12.
The Phillies played the last game without ace player Bryce Harper after hammering the Dodgers for 29 runs and 37 hits in the previous three games.
“[Harper] is in a great spot and it’s great to see,” manager Joe Girardi said after Game 3. “Obviously he’s so important to our offense, but we have other guys in good spots too, which is really helping out.”
After going eight for 12 with three home runs and eight RBIs in the first three games, the National League MVP received treatment for a damaged ligament in his elbow.
Nola struck out eight batters and walked two while throwing out of a few jams. He was the second consecutive Phillies starter to go seven innings against the Dodgers.