Dateline: Cincinnati
Tarik Skubal, who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 2, shutout the Reds for seven innings. The Dodgers posted a 4-1 win.
It is the ninth straight win over the Reds, including two playoff games last season. The Dodgers swept the Reds last week September 7,8,9.
The Dodgers clinched a playoff spot for a record 14th straight year.
Kyle Tucker smashed his 15th home run of the season leading off the second inning. It was the 18th allowed by Nick Lodolo, who grew up in Southern California as a Los Angeles Angels fan.
Teoscar Hernandez hit .779 (7-for-) against the Reds last week in Los Angeles with a triple and a home run. Lodolo got the first two batters in the top of the fourth but walked Tucker. Hernandez hit the 14th home run of the season to put the Dodgers up 3-0.
Teoscar Hernandez walked and stole second as Max Muncy struck out for the second out but Kike Hernandez singled to put the Dodgers ahead, 4-0.
Lodolo pitched seven innings and left trailing 4-0. He only allowed three hits but two were home runs. He walked four and two of them scored. He allowed three runs with two outs and struck out four.
"He gave up three hits but two of them left the ballpark," Terry Francona said. "We just fell behind the wrong guy (Skubal). That's a very good hitting team and we knew that."
Luis Mey relieved Lodolo in the eighth inning.
"Lodolo is very competitive," Francona said. "I don't think you get to this level without being that way."
It was a season-high seven innings.
"I think I made some good pitches early in the count," Lodolo said. "I felt like I had better count control. It allowed me to go deeper there. Obviously, free bases there. That's a really good team. I don't worry about who is on the other side on the mound. You have to worry about doing your job. He (Skubal) is one of the best pitchers in the game, if not the best."
Skubal turned the game over to Alex Vesia in the eighth. Skubal shutout the Reds on three hits, all singles, and a walk. He struck out nine.
Tony Santillan held the Dodgers in the eighth.
The Reds avoided a 17th white wash when Elly De La Cruz hit a monstrous home run against Evan Phillips in the ninth.
It extended De La Cruz career-high to 27 on the season. He has six of them in September with a .284 batting average on the season. If it holds over the Reds last 12 games, it will also be a career high.
His home run is estimated at 457' and appeared to leave the border of the ballpark grounds.
"It didn't tie the game or anything but it was impressive. Maybe I'll pick it up on the way home," quipped Francona, who lives in Newport, Kentucky.
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