Since clinching their 10th National League West Division title in the last 11 seasons, the Dodgers haven’t had any so-called ‘must-win’ games. That being said, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts‘ team can ill afford to lay back on their laurels for any of their remaining regular-season games – not one of them. Instead, they must do everything in their power to prepare for what could very well be their most difficult postseason in recent memory.

Tuesday night’s interleague game against the Detroit Tigers in front of a Dodger Stadium crowd of 42,223 was a perfect example of such preparation.

In a game in which only a combined five runs were scored, the Dodgers prevailed 3-2 for their first walk-off win since July 25 and their 38th comeback win of the season, having trailed 2-1 through eight innings and definitely had a postseason feel to it.

That walk-off win came on a bottom-of-the-ninth on a two-out base hit to right by Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy on which Dodgers speedy second baseman Mookie Betts (who himself had singled to center and took second when Dodgers catcher Will Smith was hit by a pitch by Tigers right-hander Alex Lange) scored on a close play at the plate for the Dodgers fifth straight win.

But lost it Tuesday night’s thrilling win was something that happened an inning earlier that was every bit as important as Muncy’s Gatorade-dumping walk-off knock that may go unremembered by many.

With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, suddenly blazing hot Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez singled to center, after which utility infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor entered the game to pinch-run for J-Mart, with Dodgers left fielder David Peralta stepping up to the plate. On the second pitch of Peralta’s at-bat, the speedy Taylor stole second base. Peralta then hit a line drive down the left field line that bounced into the stands for a ground rule double, on which Taylor scored. The next batter, Dodgers right fielder Jason Heyward, walked, followed by an inning-ending ground out to second base by Dodgers center fielder James Outman. In other words, had Taylor not stolen second base, the eighth inning would have ended with Taylor standing on third base and Detroit still leading by a score of 2-1 instead of the game tied 2-2 to set up Muncy’s ninth-inning heroics.

Following the Dodgers exciting 3-2 walk-off win, Roberts was asked if Taylor had stolen second base on his own or if he had been sent by him or his coaches.

“Chris Taylor went on his own and, you know, he did his homework and got a great jump, and led to a big inning,” Roberts answered.

“What hurt us was giving Taylor second base,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said postgame. “Those little things against good teams are going to suffocate you if you don’t take advantage of your opportunities.”

Great job CT3!

Play Ball!

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