ST. LOUIS — Mookie Betts hit a three-run homer, Tony Gonsolin combined with four relievers on a two-hitter as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-0 on Friday night.
Gonsolin (2-1) continued his comeback from his spring training ankle injury. He allowed just one hit and two walks in five innings. The 2022 All-Star had picked up his first win of the season Sunday against San Diego after firing five scoreless innings.
One day after slugging seven home runs and scoring 16 runs, the Cardinals were shut out while managing only two singles.
Brusdar Graterol, Shelby Miller, Caleb Ferguson and Tyler Cyr followed Gonsolin to the mound and shut down the Cardinals.
Steven Matz (0-5) allowed six hits, including four doubles, in 4 2/ 3 innings. The lone run he gave up was unearned. Matz has not recorded a win for St. Louis last Sept. 17, when he pitched one inning in relief. His last win as a starter was last July 23 at Cincinnati.
Chris Taylor doubled to deep left field, scoring Betts in the fifth. Betts reached on a throwing error by 10-time Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado. With two outs, Matz thought he struck out J.D. Martinez but it was called ball four. Taylor followed with a line drive into the corner to chase Matz and snap a 0-for-8 hitless streak.
Betts hit the first pitch he saw from Chris Stratton into the left field bullpen with two outs in the eighth. It was his 10th homer this season. The Dodgers have 75 home runs this season, tied with Atlanta for most in the NL. Will Smith later added a run-scoring single after Freddie Freeman had doubled for a 5-0 lead.
BASE BURGLER
Paul Goldschmidt stole second in the third inning. He has swiped 30 consecutive stolen bases without being caught. That’s the longest active streak in MLB. As a team, the Cardinals have 20 consecutive stolen bases and now boast MLB’s top stolen base percentage (87.5%, 35 for 40), which currently is their best single-season mark in franchise history, topping the 2021 team (89 for 111, 80.2%).
ROBBING A HOMER
CF James Outman leaped and grabbed a fly from Goldschmidt before it could leave the ballpark and land in the right field bleachers in the sixth inning.
ROSTER MOVES
Dodgers: Selected the contract of RHP Tyler Cyr and optioned right-handed pitcher Andre Jackson to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: RHP Michael Grove (right groin strain) has been throwing to hitters at the training facility in Arizona but is not ready for a rehab assignment. He left his April 20 start in the fourth inning.
Cardinals: RF Tommy Edman (lower abdominal soreness) did not start but pinch hit in the eighth inning, striking out. He collided with CF Lars Nootbar, who had ranged over in pursuit of the deep drive that Edman caught.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: RHP Noah Syndergaard (1-3, 5.94) earned his first win as a Dodger in his start on April 30 against the Cardinals. In his career against St. Louis, he is 3-3 with a 4.22 ERA.
Cardinals: RHP Miles Mikolas (2-1, 4.91) last faced the Dodgers at Busch Stadium on Sept. 6, 2021, and took the loss allowing five runs over five innings in a 5-1 loss. His last win against the Dodgers came on April 8, 2019.
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