LOS ANGELES ― If Wednesday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers was a metaphor for the Dodgers’ 2022 season, get ready to coast to the finish line.
A home run by Austin Barnes – the backup catcher and No. 9 hitter – gave the Dodgers a dozen runs with three innings to play. The final outcome was so inevitable, both teams sent a position player to pitch the final inning of the Dodgers’ 12-6 win before an announced crowd of 47,216 at Dodger Stadium.
Barnes, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, Trea Turner and Freddie Freeman each had multi-hit games for the Dodgers (86-37), who opened a season-high 19½-game lead on the second-place San Diego Padres in the National League West.
The Dodgers, who have won 41 of their past 50 games, are on pace to win 113 games, nearly an all-time record. The question is not how or if they will win, but can they avoid the trap of resting on their heels?
“The great thing about our ball club is there’s a lot of talented players on our roster,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “I know once we clinch, Freddie’s going to get a day off here or there. Trea’s going to do the same thing. I just don’t feel we compromise anything with other guys (starting). … Regardless of who starts we expect to win as many games as we possibly can.
“I don’t think most guys know the win record for a team, modern-day or whatever it is. Our goal is to win a championship.”
For the record: the 2001 Seattle Mariners and 1906 Chicago Cubs each won 116 games.
Making his sixth start since returning from a midseason shoulder injury, Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (2-1) threw 91 pitches over six innings, both season-highs. He walked one batter, struck out 10, and encountered little trouble against batters not named Willy Adames.
The Brewers’ shortstop hit a solo home run in the first inning to put the Dodgers in a 1-0 hole. He scored on a third-inning double by Hunter Renfroe to pull Milwaukee within 4-2. The game was never close afterward.
“We only saw (the Brewers) a week ago,” Barnes said. “When they came out this week, even against Tony (Gonsolin) they started swinging a lot early. But Heaney’s going to do what he’s going to do. He’s going to come after you with heaters a little bit, mix in a slider, and I thought he did a good job doing that.”
Brewers starting pitcher Adrian Houser (4-9) struggled to throw strikes from the outset. He walked Mookie Betts and Trea Turner to begin the game, then allowed an RBI single to Freddie Freeman on a sinker at the knees.
An RBI single by Justin Turner, a walk to Joey Gallo and a two-run double by Cody Bellinger gave the Dodgers a quick 4-1 lead. Houser needed 39 pitches to finish the first inning.
The Dodgers were just getting started. Chris Taylor doubled and scored on a forceout in the third inning. Three singles, two doubles and a walk led to four more runs in the fourth.
Trea Turner led off the fifth inning with a double, advanced to third base on a flyout, and tagged up and scored on another fly ball.
Barnes’ two-run home run followed a double by Trayce Thompson in the sixth inning, capping the Dodgers’ scoring.
Hanser Alberto, making his sixth pitching appearance of the season, allowed a two-run home run to Renfroe in the ninth inning after hitting Keston Hiura with a 63-mph fastball.
Alberto could joke afterward that Barnes’ pitch-calling was to blame for his poor pitching line. Roberts fell on the sword himself, saying Alberto must have been tired after closing a 10-1 victory the night before. The veteran utility player saw his ERA rise from 1.80 to 4.50.
By winning five of six games on their just-completed homestand, the Dodgers reduced their magic number to clinch the National League West to 15. They outscored the Marlins and Brewers 41-15 in the process, making it look easy.
“Sometimes it feels that way,” Trea Turner said, “but when you think like that you get your butt kicked the next night.”
The @Dodgers are pouring it on.
pic.twitter.com/t3s1Y4hO98
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2022
Joey clutch! pic.twitter.com/oqTY2Z3LwU
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 25, 2022
“Feeling better, trying to get deeper in the games and be a bit more pitch efficient.” Andrew Heaney on his outing against Milwaukee. (6 IP, 2 ER, 1 BB, 10 Ks) pic.twitter.com/KhLzm7OvtD
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 25, 2022
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