Andy Pages comes through as the Dodgers bring down the Padres’ untouchable reliever
Petco Park held its breath on Tuesday night in a game that already had the feel of October in May. In the ninth, with the score tied 4-4, Dodgers youngster Andy Pages stepped in against San Diego’s fearsome closer Mason Miller, who had not taken a loss in exactly a year. After a nine-pitch battle for the ages, Pages lifted a deep enough sacrifice fly to bring Alex Call home and deliver a dramatic 5-4 win for Los Angeles.
A classic duel against 101.5 mph
To grasp just how big this was, listen to veteran Freddie Freeman, who had already hit two home runs earlier in the game: “It’s one of the best at-bats I’ve ever seen in my life. Hitting 100 mph is tough, but spoiling pitches at 102 mph and 88 mph sliders back-to-back is exceptional.” Down 0-2 right away, Pages never blinked, refusing to be bullied by San Diego’s late-inning flamethrower.
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Technology swings it for the Dodgers
Beyond the raw talent, the Dodgers also made the most of technology in that decisive ninth inning. Max Muncy had originally been struck out, but an immediate challenge to the automated ball-strike system (ABS) flipped the call into a walk. That was the runner who, after moving to third on a Miller wild pitch under pressure, scored the winning run. Pages summed up his mindset after the game in Spanish: “To me, he’s just a guy who throws hard. If you’re on time for his fastballs, you can do damage.”
Miller falls, Will Klein shuts the door
That brilliant finish also allowed Will Klein to pick up the first save of his career by closing it out in the bottom of the ninth. And while Dave Roberts kept his feet on the ground by stressing that the season is still a long way from over, the manager could not hide his admiration for Andy Pages’ fight: “He just imposed his will in that at-bat.”
credit : Orlando Ramirez / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
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