A three-run eighth inning, that included a balk for the go-ahead run, allowed the Los Angeles Dodgers to rally for an 8-7 victory Saturday over the visiting Houston Astros, while extending their winning streak to four games.
The Dodgers turned three walks in the eighth inning and got a sacrifice fly from Jason Heyward, an RBI double from James Outman and a balk from Astros right-hander Ryne Stanek to score pinch runner Jonny Deluca to jump in front after blowing an early three-run lead.
Alex Bregman had a grand slam for the Astros, while starter Ronel Blanco recovered from a bumpy start to retire 16 of the last 17 batters he faced. Houston lost for the seventh time in its past nine games.
Houston’s Bryan Abreu walked Freddie Freeman, Will Smith and J.D. Martinez to open the ninth, then gave up a sacrifice fly to Heyward as the Dodgers moved within 7-6. Outman delivered an RBI double that stuck in the right-field fence to tie the game 7-7, with Stanek replacing Abreu (2-2).
With David Peralta at the plate, Stanek appeared to buckle his right knee before stepping off the pitching rubber to earn the balk and allow Deluca to score. After the inning was complete, Stanek was ejected for making gestures at the umpire crew, while Houston manager Dusty Baker also was ejected.
Dodgers right-hander Phil Bickford (2-2) ended up as the winning pitcher after two scoreless innings, while Evan Phillips earned his 10th save. Dodgers rookie right-hander Bobby Miller had his second consecutive rough start, giving up six runs on 10 hits over four innings.
Smith and Heyward hit first-inning home runs for the Dodgers before the Astros cut their early deficit to 3-1 in the third inning on an RBI single by Jose Altuve. Houston loaded the bases in the fifth before Bregman followed with a grand slam to left field for a 5-3 advantage.
After Kyle Tucker followed with a walk, Jose Abreu doubled and Yainer Diaz delivered an RBI single as the Astros took a 6-3 lead.
The Astros made it 7-3 in the sixth on an Abreu sacrifice fly before the Dodgers answered, getting a two-run pinch-hit home run from Peralta off Phil Maton in the seventh inning to cut the deficit to 7-5.
–Field Level Media
