Dustin May, Dodgers steamroll A’s

April 6, 2021 8:04 AM — Posted by signsanaheim — Posted at business signage ,irvine sign company

  • The Dodgers’ Will Smith, foreground, advances to third base after a fielding error by A’s shortstop Elvis Andrus, right, during the eighth inning of Monday’s game in Oakland. Also pictured at left is A’s third baseman Matt Chapman. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Starting pitcher Dustin May #85 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the bottom of the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Frankie Montas #47 of the Oakland Athletics pitches in the top of first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager hits a three-run double against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with teammates Chris Taylor #3 and Edwin Rios #43 after scoring on a double by Corey Seager #5 in the top of the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman cannot field a ball that went for a base hit during the second inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. Also pictured at rear is umpire Sean Barber. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Third baseman Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics fails to field a ground ball hit by Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the second inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • Dodgers’ Max Muncy, left, slides into home to score past Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy during the second inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the top of the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith (16) is congratulated by third base coach Dino Ebel (91) after hitting a solo home run against the Oakland Athletics during the third inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after being hit by a pitch from Frankie Montas #47 of the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers dives to third base ahead of the tag by Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor, bottom left, slides safely into third base next to Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman during the third inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. Umpire Sean Barber, top left, looks on. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • Oakland Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas (47) walks off the mound after being taken out by manager Bob Melvin, middle left, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. Also pictured catcher Sean Murphy (12) and first baseman Matt Olson (28). (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Starting pitcher Frankie Montas #47 of the Oakland Athletics heads back to the dugout after being pulled from the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Dustin May #85 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the bottom of the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor, left, is checked on by a trainer after being hit by a pitch from Oakland Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas during the third inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor (3) celebrates with Mookie Betts (50) and Edwin Rios (43) after all scored on a three-run double hit by Corey Seager during the second inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May throws to the plate during the sixth inning of Monday’s game against the A’s in Oakland. May pitched six shutout innings, allowing only two hits, two walks and striking out a career-high eight. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price throws against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner (10) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run against the Oakland Athletics during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith (16) slides safely into second base next to Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman after a fielding error by Elvis Andrus during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is safe at second base after colliding with Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics in the top of the eighth inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Elvis Andrus #17 of the Oakland Athletics fumbles a ball hit by Matt Beaty #45 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the eighth inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs to third base after colliding with Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics in the top of the eighth inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Mark Canha #20 of the Oakland Athletics hits a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • Oakland Athletics pitcher Reymin Guduan (61) makes contact with Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger on Bellinger’s single during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. Guduan and Bellinger both left the game after the play. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers limps on the field after a play at first base in the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers limps on the field after a play at first base in the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on April 05, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger, center, walks off the field as he leaves the game with manager Dave Roberts, left, and a trainer during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith, from left, celebrates with Scott Alexander, Mookie Betts and Corey Seager after the Dodgers defeated the Oakland Athletics in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

  • Fans watch during the second inning of a baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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After the Dodgers acquired Frankie Montas in the winter of 2015, they assigned him to Double-A to begin the season. His teammates included Cody Bellinger, Alex Verdugo, Kyle Farmer, and Andrew Toles. Montas came with the promise of a fastball in the upper 90s and the stamina of a starting pitcher, but injuries marred his time in the organization. In August 2016, Montas was dealt to the A’s in a package for Rich Hill and Josh Reddick.

Five years later, Montas is still the A’s fifth starter. He still boasts an upper-90s fastball. Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ farm system has churned out bigger and better pitching prospects, many of whom teamed up to win the 2020 World Series. On Monday, Montas found out the hard way how they did it.

The Dodgers scored four runs in the second inning, all with two outs. Montas allowed a home run to Will Smith in the third inning, hit Chris Taylor with a pitch, then watched Taylor score from third base on a wild pitch. By the time A.J. Puk came in to finish the third inning, the Dodgers were leading by seven runs en route to a 10-3 win.

Dodgers starter Dustin May did the hard work on the pitching side, tossing six shutout innings in his 2021 debut. He was a model of efficiency, throwing 85 pitches while allowing only two hits, two walks and striking out a career-high eight. The 23-year-old right-hander touched 99 mph in the first inning and 99 mph in the sixth.

His biggest challenge might have been staying warm during the long half-innings in the dugout on a chilly night by San Francisco Bay. For May, wearing a hooded sweatshirt seemed to do the trick.

“You’ve just got to stay locked in,” he said. “It’s a big-league game. We’re here to do a job, to get guys out. You have to stay locked in no matter what the situation is.”

May’s spot in the starting rotation was not assured until the final weekend of spring training. Through one turn in the rotation, he is the Dodgers’ only starter with a 0.00 earned-run average.

“He just really commanded the top part of the zone tonight,” Manager Dave Roberts said of May. “It was fun to watch.”

Smith’s home run was his second in as many days. Max Muncy and Zach McKinstry went 3 for 4, and McKinstry drove in three runs as the Dodgers collected 14 hits. Justin Turner hit his first home run of the season off another former Dodger, Sergio Romo. It was the 500th RBI of Turner’s career.

Corey Seager hit a double with the bases loaded in the first inning for his only hit of the game. Five days into the season, he has six RBIs. No other National League hitter has more.

When the Dodgers (4-1) weren’t playing like the defending champions, the A’s (0-5) were beating themselves. Third baseman Matt Chapman made a rare misplay at third base on a Mookie Betts grounder in the second inning, the possible third out thwarted ahead of Seager’s big hit.

Later, in the eighth inning, A’s shortstop Elvis Andrus botched a short flip to Chapman, who was covering second base on a possible forceout. With nobody defending third base, runner Will Smith looked up and advanced 90 feet without a throw.

The A’s rallied for three runs in the eighth inning against Dodgers pitcher David Price, who relieved May in the seventh inning. Other than a home run by Mark Canha, Price did not allow much in the way of hard contact.

But the veteran left-hander induced only three swings-and-misses on 47 pitches. After opting out of last season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Price has allowed five runs in 3⅔ innings to begin 2021.

“I don’t care about the line score,” Roberts said of Price. “What I do care about is that he takes the baseball and the stuff is there. I think that we can’t lose sight of the fact that he hasn’t pitched in over a year at the major league level. When you see the fastball where it’s at, the cutter with the characteristics and the changeup, what it’s doing, that’s something to be encouraged about. The command is not as sharp as he will be. That’s to be expected.”

The Dodgers’ only other question marks Monday were the health of Taylor and Bellinger.

Taylor was hit above his left elbow with a Montas fastball, leaving a contusion. Roberts said X-rays were negative and Taylor is day-to-day.

Bellinger crossed paths with pitcher Reymin Guduan in the ninth inning as the two raced to first base. Guduan’s cleat clipped Bellinger at the bottom of his left calf, forcing Bellinger to leave the game. Bellinger is day-to-day too, Roberts said.

“Being able to get out there and compete again for a game that counts was a lot of fun.” @d_maydabeast on his first start of the season. pic.twitter.com/qd6HqRVALz

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 6, 2021

Dave Roberts on @d_maydabeast dominant outing and an update on Chris Taylor & @Cody_Bellinger. pic.twitter.com/CcR5O3CSSe

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 6, 2021

A 3-hit game on the same day your alma mater wins the #NationalChampionship? ?@maxmuncy9 talks post-game with @kirsten_watson about what’s been clicking for him so far this season. pic.twitter.com/AsWvj0ftLk

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 6, 2021

CRUSHED!

500th career RBI for @redturn2. pic.twitter.com/Rs3GCjrn1w

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 6, 2021

“It nice to have my swing feeling good.” @ZachCMU talks post-game after going 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs (6-for-11 to start the year) in tonight’s 10-3 victory. pic.twitter.com/U6CFAO4uDE

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 6, 2021

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