The Dodgers take game one in a three game series against the St. Louis Cardinals and Ross Stripling picked up his first major league win.
Ross Stripling had two big firsts tonight. He collected his first major league win after he pitched into the sixth inning and also got his first major league hit off of his former teammate and college roommate, Michael Wacha. With two outs in the second inning, Stripling singled.
The Dodgers thankfully did not see the Michael Wacha they faced in the NLCS series in 2013. Wacha gave up eight hits and issued three walks. Surprisingly, the Cardinals defense was not much better. They had four errors behind Wacha on the mound.
Tonight was a complete team win for the Dodgers. The team scored runs in five consecutive innings and capitalized on Wacha’s mistakes and the Cardinals errors. Howie Kendrick was robbed of a home run when Randal Grichuk made a leaping catch at the wall. Kendrick’s power did not stop there. He would score twice and have two more hits for the team on Friday night. Trayce Thompson (one of my favorite players currently) started in left field while Carl Crawford took a spot on the bench. Thompson pulled his weight when he hit a two-run single in the bottom of the second inning. Yasiel Puig came through with a solo home run and two singles on the evening.
With a comfortable four run lead in the ninth inning, Dave Roberts sent Joe Blanton to the mound looking to give Kenley Jansen the night off. However, Blanton allowed two runners to reach base which forced Roberts to put Jansen in the game. Jansen came in and got Matt Holliday to ground into a double play and the game was over.
Ross Stripling has 2 baseballs from tonight -- to commemorate his first career hit and win. He's now on his way to dinner, paid for by Wacha
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) May 14, 2016
.@RossStripling with his 1st hit ball & original lineup card. He also got the game ball for his 1st win. @GoAggies pic.twitter.com/yzgUK0nsfC
— Ron Cervenka (@Think_BlueLA) May 14, 2016
Tonight was a great game for the Dodgers. Their bats were awake, everyone contributed in some way, Jansen earned his 12th save on the season and Stripling got his first win as well as his first major league hit. Needless to say, Wacha was no bitter about giving up the hit, but instead insisted on buying dinner to celebrate with his former roommate.
The Dodgers will again face the Cardinals at home tomorrow and the first pitch is scheduled for 6:10 PM.