September 5th, 2020 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Many years ago, former Dodgers outfielder and longtime San Francisco Giants and current Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker coined the phrase: “Keep it out of slam range.”
On Friday night, the Dodgers did not “Keep it out of slam range.”
In the top of the eighth inning of the three-game series opener with the division-rival Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium, recently acquired Rockies centerfielder Kevin Pillar hit a (you guessed it) grand slam off of Dodgers right-hander Caleb Ferguson to turn a non-slam-range 5-2 Dodgers lead into a 6-5 deficit.
Under most circumstances, this would be a crushing blow for most MLB teams. But the 2020 Dodgers are unlike any other MLB team.
“Up and down the lineup we’re just looking to do some damage,” Dodgers centerfielder A.J. Pollock said after the Dodgers dramatic 10-6 come-from-behind win.
Yes, win.
That win came as a result of Pollock’s go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom half of the eighth inning, followed immediately by a Joc Pederson solo blast, and a subsequent two-run shot by Mookie Betts, also in the eighth. And even though the game was once again within “slam range” and the Rockies managed to get runners on first and second in the top of the ninth, Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen sealed the deal without further damage, to give (wait for it…) Caleb Ferguson his second win of the COVID-19-shortened season.
“I’d be hardpressed to find a team that’s equipped to do what we do,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said postgame. “It started with Dustin [May], I thought he was outstanding. I thought the ‘pen, you know it’s been good all year and today they weren’t as sharp, and for our guys on the offense to pick them up, that’s what the team does.
“Some big offensive nights for some guys, some big hits, the defense again solid, so just a fun game to be a part of,” Roberts added.
The Dodgers skipper was asked if he is concerned that his team might “back off the accelerator a little” with his team currently owning the best record in baseball at 30-10 and a magic number of 15.
“I don’t think there will be a problem keeping the foot on the accelerator,” Roberts answered without hesitation.
Play Ball!
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I’m thoroughly impressed with Dustin May. He keeps getting better and better. No doubt he’ll be a fixture in the rotation for some time.
And to the guy who hit the game-winning HR; who is that guy and what have they done with A.J. Pollock? It’s great to see his offense return.
This Dodger team is stacked and built to do damage now and into the future.
An aside; excellent new Backstage Dodgers episode on Mitch White. He appears to be a great kid from a solid family. His Grandfather would be over the moon right now.
Covered Mitch White during his brief time at Rancho. He is indeed a great kid!
It’s incredible.