Dodgers win battle of namesakes in blowout fashion

Out-homering their opponents three-to-one, the Dodgers beat the A’s 9-4 and are now 1-0 all-time in games at Sutter Health Park. Already on their first visit to the A’s temporary home, the Dodgers gave their fans a taste of this park’s propensity for an elevated number of runs by thoroughly dismantling Gage Jump and the A’s bullpen with an incredible eight multi-hit performances. On the Dodgers’ pitching side, Eric Lauer did exactly what this team wanted from him when they acquired him a little over a month ago, navigating a troublesome outing with a respectable line and saving up the bullpen.

Early on, though, a similar fate seemed to be in store for both starters. After avoiding damage in the first inning, both quickly caved, allowing multiple runs in the second, two for the Dodgers and three for the A’s. The Dodgers caught a bit of a break in their first rally, as a Kyle Tucker fly ball was lost in the sun and dropped in for a hit—Tucker would eventually come around to score on a Dalton Rushing single.

Nearly as quickly as the Dodgers relinquished the lead in the bottom of the second—with the A’s scoring three against Lauer—they came back to take it again in the fourth, this time relying on the long ball. In the battle of namesakes, the Dodgers’ Max Muncy proved to be the more impactful hitter. Muncy added to his RBI single that opened the scoring in the second with a solo shot to tie things up at 3-3.