Roki Sasaki pitched into the fifth inning and allowed just one run. At the same time, Kiké Hernández and Michael Conforto provided the power with home runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. With the victory, Los Angeles improved to 9-1 to start the 2024 season.
The Dodgers entered the game as slight favorites, with moneyline odds around -120. The Phillies, who had won six of their first seven games, were listed at approximately +100. The total for the game was set at 8.5 runs, but the contest remained low-scoring due to strong pitching performances on both sides.
Sasaki, making his third Major League start, continued to seek his first win. The Japanese right-hander allowed one run on four hits over four-plus innings, striking out two and walking one. He gave up back-to-back singles to Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber in the first inning, and a groundout by Alec Bohm drove in Turner to give Philadelphia an early 1-0 lead.
Sasaki exited the game after throwing 68 pitches. He was removed following a leadoff walk to J.T. Realmuto and a single by Bryson Stott in the fifth inning. Anthony Banda entered in relief and preserved the one-run deficit by inducing a flyout from Brandon Marsh and then benefiting from a line-drive double play by Schwarber. Teoscar Hernández made the catch in right field and threw out Stott at first base, who had strayed too far on the play.
The Dodgers responded offensively in the second inning. Hernández hit a two-run home run to left field off Phillies starter Aaron Nola to give Los Angeles a 2-1 lead. Conforto extended that lead in the sixth with a solo shot to right, also off Nola. The Phillies’ veteran right-hander allowed three earned runs on seven hits over six innings. All 13 runs allowed by Philadelphia starters this season have come via the home run, with eight long balls surrendered.
The Dodgers’ bullpen took over from there and combined for five scoreless innings. Banda, who improved to 3-0, was followed by Ben Casparius, Alex Vesia, and closer Tanner Scott. The group allowed just one hit and no walks over the final innings, neutralizing Philadelphia’s offense.
Scott earned his third save of the season in a highly efficient outing. He allowed a leadoff single to Bryce Harper in the ninth but quickly induced a double play from Bohm and retired Max Kepler on a flyout to finish the game. Scott’s save was notable for its brevity, as he became only the fifth pitcher since 1988 to record a save with just three pitches while facing three batters.
The Dodgers will go for the series win in Sunday’s finale. Right-hander Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to start for Los Angeles. Glasnow has yet to allow a run in his first appearance this season. The Phillies will counter with left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, who enters the game with a 1.69 ERA after two solid starts.
