The Los Angeles Dodgers got a good test on Thursday night when they went up against NL Cy Young candidate Zac Gallen.
Gallen, who has been one of the most underrated pitchers in the league this year, shut the Dodgers down, allowing just one earned run across eight innings, and striking out 13.
Gallen was replaced by former Dodger Reyes Moronta and then All-Star reliever Joe Mantiply in the 9th.
The Dodgers were able to get to them, and turn the tough night at the plate into a 3-2 walk-off victory.
Hero of the night Mookie Betts was happy to see his team battle back against tough pitching. Here’s what he had to say when asked how important of a win this was.
The Dodgers were able to put together some great at-bats in the 9th inning. Cody Bellinger’s leadoff double came on a full-count, as did Betts’ walk-off RBI single.
Mookie Betts speaks with @kirsten_watson after his game-winning hit against the D-backs. pic.twitter.com/XCPrBIhtlX
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 23, 2022
“It’s huge,” Betts said. “In the playoffs, it’s gonna be like that. It’s going to be a lot of situations like this — we’re gonna face a lot of ‘Zac Gallens.’ It’s a good test. You know, these last couple weeks we’re not playing for a whole lot but it’s really important to face guys like that and play in games like this.”
Max Muncy’s game-tying single came with two strikes as well.
It was great seeing the Dodgers have some fight in them down in the 9th. I can’t wait to see those kind of at-bats in the postseason.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) September 23, 2022
Those are the types of at-bats the Dodgers will have to put together come October.
Hopefully last night’s comeback was a sign of things to come for the team.
