Dodgers News: Gavin Lux Loving Playoff Pressure That Comes From Being in LA
Yesterday at 05:30 PM
Last season, the Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series, ending their season in the first round of the postseason.
Gavin Lux had to watch the excruciating loss from home while he recovered from knee surgery.
On Saturday night, Lux got his redemption in Game 1 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres. In a 7-5 win, the second baseman went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an incredible diving catch in the ninth inning.
In an interview with SportsNet LA after the win, Lux revealed just how much playing in the postseason means to him.
“Not everybody gets these opportunities to play in the postseason, in these meaningful games, so it just means the world to get back out here and get a W in the first game.”
Lux was just one of the unsung heroes of the night. The bottom of the lineup produced all night getting on base for the top of the order to drive in runs.
"Everybody really contributed today," said designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.
He wasn’t kidding.
The bottom of the order combined to score four of the Dodgers' runs and reached base in seven of their 16 plate appearances.
Catcher Will Smith, center fielder Tommy Edman, shortstop Miguel Rojas, and Lux applied the pressure consistently throughout the contest.
They forced Padres starter Dylan Cease to throw 22 pitches before Ohtani stepped to the plate in the second inning. In the fourth, Edman surprised the Padres with a bunt single, later scoring on a wild pitch. Lux contributed defensively as well, catching Luis Arráez’s line drive at second base to help the Dodgers maintain their two-run lead in the top of the ninth.
"When you see a guy like (starting pitcher Dylan) Cease, who has really big stuff, to be able to grind at-bats, that's the hard part," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "To be able to take walks, we did that all night. Got the pitch count up, got him out of the game, got looks at some guys – that's a credit to our guys."
While it might seem like a minor detail, the bottom of the order has made it a habit of producing against the Padres. In their last two regular-season victories against the Padres, the Dodgers’ bottom four batters contributed significantly with eight hits, three walks, and eight runs scored.
Perhaps if they keep it up, it will alleviate the added pressure on the starting rotation and first four hitters.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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