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The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger follows through on a solo home run during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin throws to the plate during their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Gonsolin held the Padres to one run and four hits in his 7-2/3 innings, with eight strikeouts. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers second baseman Max Muncy throws out the San Diego Padres’ Nomar Mazara for the third out of the first inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Dodgers’ Max Muncy hits a solo home run off of San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell during the second inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Dodgers’ Max Muncy watches the flight of his solo home run as he leaves the batter’s box during the second inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, left, watches the flight of the solo home run he hit off of San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell during the second inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Dodgers’ Max Muncy watches the flight of his solo home run during the second inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell hangs his head after giving up a solo home run to the Dodgers’ Max Muncy The Dodgers’ Max Muncy watches the flight of his solo home run during the second inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Max Muncy celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Max Muncy is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell talks with home plate umpire Scott Barry as he walks to the dugout after the last out of the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The San Diego Padres’ Jurickson Profar gestures to the dugout after hitting a double during the third inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Dodgers left fielder Chris Taylor catches a ball hit by the San Diego Padres’ Jake Cronenworth during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell throws to the plate throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Dodgers’ Trea Turner tries to dodge a tag by San Diego Padres catcher Austin Nola during the third inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell throws to the plate during their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Dodgers’ Austin Barnes strikes out on this pitch with two men on base during the fourth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin throws to the plate during the third inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The San Diego Padres’ Trent Grisham hits a solo home run off of Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin during the fifth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The San Diego Padres’ Trent Grisham watches the flight of his home run off of Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin, left, during the fifth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The San Diego Padres’ Trent Grisham, right, celebrates as he heads to first after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin reacts after giving up a home run to the San Diego Padres’ Trent Grisham during the fifth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The San Diego Padres’ Trent Grisham, right, is congratulated by teammate C.J. Abrams after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The San Diego Padres’ Trent Grisham, left, is congratulated by teammate Manny Machado after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Will Smith steals second base under the tag of San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth during the fifth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell is congratulated in the dugout after his 12th strikeout during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger connects for a solo home run during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger hits a go-ahead solo home run off of San Diego Padres relief pitcher Craig Stammen during the sixth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger, right, watches the flight of his go-ahead solo home run during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger heads to first after hitting a go-ahead solo home run during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger is congratulated by third base coach Dino Ebel as he runs the bases after hitting a go-ahead solo home run during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger runs the bases after hitting a go-ahead solo home run during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a go-ahead solo home run during the sixth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Dodgers’ Trea Turner steals second base as San Diego Padres shortstop C.J. Abrams takes a late throw during the seventh inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin throws to the plate during their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Gonsolin held the Padres to one run and four hits in his 7-2/3 innings, with eight strikeouts. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin pitched into the eighth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won, 5-1. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Dodgers’ Chris Taylor, center, scores on a sacrifice fly by Cody Bellinger as San Diego Padres relief pitcher Tim Hill, left, and catcher Austin Nola watch during the eighth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Dodgers’ Chris Taylor scores on a sacrifice fly by Cody Bellinger during the eighth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Dodgers’ Trayce Thompson celebrates after hitting a double during the eighth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel celebrates after getting a strikeout to end their 5-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodger fans enjoy fireworks after the team’s 5-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The San Diego Padres’ Jurickson Profar autographs baseballs for fans before their game against the Dodgers on Friday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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A young fan looks to get an autograph on a baseball before the Dodgers’ game against the San Diego Padres on Friday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Injured San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. works out during batting practice before their game against the Dodgers on Friday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts speaks to reporters in the dugout before their game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES ― Trayce Thompson has not had a front-row seat for most of Tony Gonsolin’s professional career. When Thompson’s first tour of duty with the Dodgers’ organization was peaking, in June 2016, Gonsolin was an outfielder at St. Mary’s College until he was chosen by the Dodgers in the ninth round of that year’s amateur draft.
Forgive Thompson for extrapolating too much after Friday’s game, in which Gonsolin threw 7⅔ innings in the Dodgers’ 5-1 victory over the San Diego Padres.
“I’ve seen two starts now,” Thompson said. “It’s almost like he’s guaranteed to go eight (innings) every night.”
In fact, Friday marked only the second time Gonsolin even completed seven innings in a game; the first was a Sept. 2020 start in San Diego. The right-hander has since transformed himself into one of the National League’s best pitchers, an honorific that should soon guarantee Gonsolin a roster spot when the All-Star Game comes to Los Angeles on July 19.
Gonsolin struck out a season-high eight batters, allowed four hits and didn’t issue a walk. He seemed reluctant to hand over the baseball to Manager Dave Roberts after striking out C.J. Abrams with his 92nd pitch.
Yet by then, the final outcome was nearly clinched. Gonsolin’s record improved to 10-0 and his ERA shrank to 1.54, with enough innings to qualify for the lowest in MLB. He allowed one run, on a fifth-inning home run by Trent Grisham that reached the loge level in right field.
The Dodgers struck out a season-high 17 times, but they won thanks to two solo homers against left-hander Blake Snell (0-6) and a few insurance runs against the Padres’ bullpen.
Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger cleared the fence before the announced crowd of 48,076. Bellinger’s 11th home run of the season put the Dodgers ahead for good at 2-1 in the sixth inning.
In the seventh inning, Trea Turner legged out an infield single, stole second base, and scored on a double by Freddie Freeman. With left-hander Tim Hill on the mound in the eighth inning, Chris Taylor singled and Thompson doubled to kick off a two-run rally.
That gave the Dodgers a four-run lead going into the ninth. Roberts called on closer Craig Kimbrel to record the final three outs in a non-save situation. He did, and the Dodgers (48-28) widened their lead on second-place San Diego (46-33) to 3½ games in the National League West.
Thompson went 2 for 4 with two doubles – his first extra-base hits here as a Dodger since July 2017. Turner struck out in his first three at-bats but finished 2 for 5 with a pair of singles.
Thompson’s start was his first at Dodger Stadium since he was acquired from the Detroit Tigers for cash on June 20. He’s 9 for 28 (.321) with four extra-base hits and five RBIs in 10 games since.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Thompson said of his second tour of duty with the Dodgers. “It’s easy when a lot of my close friends are on this team, a lot of people I spent a lot of time with. It’s surreal. I’m just excited for the opportunity and try to make the most of each day.”
The story Friday was Gonsolin, who had struggled to command the strike zone even while maintaining a sub-2.00 ERA for most of the season. His inability to pitch deep into games regularly left him short of the innings necessary to qualify for the ERA title and, more importantly for the Dodgers, sometimes taxed the bullpen on the days when Gonsolin started.
Gonsolin said he is a more confident pitcher now, which makes him less hesitant to pound the strike zone early in at-bats.
“He was outstanding tonight,” Roberts said. “He had his entire mix working. The split, change; obviously there’s a heavy left-handed lineup. Fastball command all night long. He was getting a lot of early swings, early contact that allowed him to get to the eighth inning. Where we were at with the ’pen going into tonight, it’s much needed.”
“Just trying to get strike one today and I feel like I did a pretty good job of doing that.” @goooose15 (7.2 IP, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K) on his outing. pic.twitter.com/j2Frgl8Pml
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) July 2, 2022
A go-ahead Belli bomb! pic.twitter.com/f5g1EyE0ep
— MLB (@MLB) July 2, 2022
How many pitches did he need? One Max. pic.twitter.com/GVjEtGwdqe
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 2, 2022
“He’s just pitching his tail off and has been so consistent for us.” Dave Roberts on @goooose15 dominant outing and his takeaways from Game 2. pic.twitter.com/BVjQYZSTz5
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) July 2, 2022
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