The two RBIs and one homerun from outfielder Joey Gallo and the accurate pitching of Clayton Kershaw helped the Dodgers secure a 5-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The matchup took place during Black Heritage Night at Dodgers Stadium. They offered special ticket packages that came with a special edition Tommy Davis no.12 jersey. Davis played for the Dodgers from 1959-1966 and helped the Dodgers win the 1963 World Series. He earned two consecutive national league batting titles.
The Inglewood high school marching band performs at Dodgers’ Black Heritage Night @InglewoodSports @thelasentinel pic.twitter.com/xAdNxSXQRG
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) September 20, 2022
The 153 RBIs he scored during the 1962 season is still a Dodgers franchise record for most RBI’s in a single season. He also holds the record for most hits in a single season with 230. Family members of the late Davis were among the 44,854 fans who were in attendance.
Singer Adam Aejaye Jackson sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” Prior to the start of the game, The Inglewood marching band also performed on the field.
Related Stories
“Wade in the Water” Tells the History of Black Surfers
UPDATE: WNBA Players Express Reluctance to Play Overseas As Brittney Griner Negotiations Continue
The Dodgers also acknowledged the achievements of TV producer and co-creator of the HBO show “Insecure” Issa Rae. The L.A. native foretold of the Dodgers win in an Instagram video prior to the game.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, along with iconic radio personality Big Boy, recording artist will.i.am, and rapper Dom Kennedy sent out the ceremonial first pitch. Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts, outfielder Trayce Thompson and pitcher Andre Jackson caught the pitches.
Adam Aejaye Jackson sings the Black National Anthem at the Dodgers’ Black Heritage Night @thelasentinel pic.twitter.com/iC13pGq311
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) September 20, 2022
Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was also honored for being the franchise nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. The award is given out annually to the MLB player who best represents the sport of baseball through their positive contributions and community outreach.
Gallo put the NL West champs on the board first after slugging a homer in the bottom of the second inning. He scored again in the fourth with an RBI double. This gave the Dodgers offensive momentum, Two batters later, designated hitter Chris Taylor hit a 2RBI double that was changed into a home run after review. The Dodgers would score four runs in the fourth inning.
Kershaw pitched in his fourth game of this month. After pitching six innings, Kershaw struck out 10 batters and only allowed six hits and one run; he did not walk a single batter. Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merill Kelly also pitched for six innings allowing eight hits and five runs.
Kelly struck out four Dodgers before Gallo hit his homer.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham does the ceremonial first pitch at the Dodgers vs D-Backs game @thelasentinel pic.twitter.com/wc594HxrpU
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) September 20, 2022
Arizona did not reach the scoreboard until the fifth inning when Geraldo Perdomo hit an RBI single. They would score in the top of the ninth with bases loaded. Sergio Alcántara scored an RBI while the Dodgers made a double play. The next batter made a pop-out to end the game.
The Dodgers now have a 102-44 overall record; they clinched a first-round bye and earned home-field advantage in the National League Division Series. This game marks the start of a seven-game homestead for the Dodgers, including a double-header against the Diamondbacks on September 20.
