We all know that the Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Saturday evening as a result of Chris Taylor‘s dramatic 403-foot home run to left field in the top of the fourth inning – something that the 32-year-old Virginia Beach, VA native seems to have become quite good at lately.

But Saturday’s game, behind an absolutely stellar pitching performance by 25-year-old Dodgers right-hander Dustin May, ended with a final score of 2-1, meaning that Taylor’s jack, although monumental in and of itself, would have only been a game-tier had there not been someone on base ahead of him.

Enter 28-year-old Dodgers catcher Will Smith.

Prior to Taylor’s heroics, Smith drew a huge two-out five-pitch walk off of 30-year-old Padres All-Star Cy Young Award-winning left-hander Blake Snell, thereby making Taylor’s home run a two-run shot for the win.

Worth noting, and this is rather significant, Smith walked three times in Saturday’s contest, giving him 13 on the young season. This ranks sixth most on the team, with Dodgers (and MLB’s) home run leader Max Muncy (12) having walked 25 times.

As for that May fellow, all he did in his National League-leading seventh start of the season was allow no runs and only three hits (all singles), while striking out six and walking only one in his brilliant 6.0 innings pitched.

“D-May threw the ball really well, he did a great job of getting us deep into the game and started getting ahead of hitters,” acting manager Danny Lehmann said postgame. “I think early, he was kind of falling behind, getting in deeper counts, but other than that, like (Dodgers right-handed reliever Caleb) Ferguson threw the ball really well, obviously, (Dodgers right-handed reliever Brusdar) Graterol took the ball, had a busy inning, but I think he managed it really well, and then obviously (Dodgers right-handed reliever Evan) Phillips in the ninth, so it was pretty good.”

Lehmann, who was filling in for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts who missed Saturday night’s game to attend his son’s college graduation ceremony, is the Dodgers current bench coach. This was the 37-year-old Denver, CO native’s first experience in a managerial role, in which he can now boast a 1-0 record.

Play Ball!

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