Dodgers win as Brandon Lauer dominates and Edwin Díaz closes after long IL absence
Dodgers win behind Lauer’s one-hit outing as Teoscar Hernández robs a homer and Edwin Díaz secures the save in a 4-1 victory over the Mariners. Lauer allowed only a third-inning single, struck out four and retired each inning’s leadoff batter in another strong start. The result extended the Dodgers’ unbeaten run in his eight starts since the left-hander was acquired from Toronto in mid-May.
Lauer Throws Near-Perfect Start
Brandon Lauer paced the Dodgers with a commanding performance, surrendering a lone hit — a third-inning single to Cole Young. He mixed a steady fastball and offspeed offerings to retire the side in order multiple times, finishing with four strikeouts and one walk.
Lauer’s efficiency was evident as he retired the leadoff hitter in every inning he worked, keeping the Mariners off balance. The left-hander’s run of form has coincided with the Dodgers winning each of his eight starts since the mid-May trade from Toronto.
Díaz Returns from IL, Holds Nerves in Ninth
Edwin Díaz was summoned for the ninth inning after being activated from the injured list earlier in the day, tasked with protecting a three-run lead. The right-hander, returning from surgery to remove loose bodies in his right arm, has now recorded his fifth save since rejoining the club.
Díaz did not have a clean frame, allowing a ground-rule double and an RBI double before closing the door. He managed to escape further damage and preserve the victory, a crucial step in his comeback from an 85-game absence.
Dodgers Manufacturing Early Offense
Los Angeles struck early and methodically, scoring single runs in the first, third, fourth and sixth innings to build a steady advantage. The sequence provided a cushion that allowed Lauer and the bullpen to navigate through late pressure.
Pages supplied the initial blow with a two-strike home run in the first off Emerson Hancock, giving the Dodgers an immediate lead. Freddie Freeman followed with a broken-bat infield single that third baseman Weston Wilson misplayed, allowing Shohei Ohtani to score and extend the advantage.
Ohtani’s Two-Strike Double Seals Scoring
Shohei Ohtani delivered again with a clutch two-strike RBI double in the sixth inning to complete the Dodgers’ offense for the night. His two-for-three day at the plate included the run-scoring hit that capped Los Angeles’ four-run output.
Pages added an insurance infield single earlier, turning a two-run edge into a three-run margin before Ohtani’s late double. The collective small-ball and timely hitting illustrated the Dodgers’ ability to manufacture runs without relying on a single big inning.
Hernández’s Spectacular Catch Ends Rally
Late in the eighth, Teoscar Hernández produced a game-changing defensive play by scaling the left-field wall to rob pinch-hitter Mitch Garver of a home run. Hernández reached over the fence in front of the Dodgers’ bullpen to complete the catch, prompting a loud reaction from the dugout and fans alike.
That grab not only prevented a momentum-shifting run but also preserved the lead as the Mariners pushed in the late innings. The play highlighted the defensive support behind Lauer and helped maintain the Dodgers’ control of the game.
Mariners’ Eighth-Inning Charge Comes Up Short
Seattle mounted a late bid in the eighth when Weston Wilson doubled off reliever Tanner Scott and later scored on Cole Young’s RBI single. The run trimmed the lead and set up a tense finish, but the Dodgers’ bullpen managed to limit further damage.
In the ninth, Díaz surrendered a ground-rule double and an RBI two-bagger but was able to record the final outs and secure the win. The Mariners’ rally showed life, yet it fell short of overcoming the advantage the Dodgers had built earlier.
Series Finale Starting Pitchers Announced
The series finale will feature Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller (4-5, 2.75 ERA) facing Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki (4-5, 4.71) on Thursday. Both starters come into the matchup with contrasting statistical profiles, setting up an intriguing rematch to close the set.
With the Dodgers carrying momentum from Lauer’s latest outing and Díaz’s return, the finale offers Los Angeles a chance to extend their edge in the series. The pitching matchup and bullpen usage will likely determine whether the Dodgers can sustain the win streak tied to Lauer’s starts.
The Dodgers leave the ballpark with another victory built on starting pitching, opportunistic hitting and a highlight defensive play, while the Mariners will regroup for the finale and look to answer with a stronger offensive response.
