LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers outfielders Chris Taylor and Zach McKinstry are more than making up for the absences of MVPs Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger.
Taylor hit a three-run homer and McKinstry made big plays with his bat and arm Saturday night in Los Angeles’ 9-5 victory over the Washington Nationals.
With Betts sidelined by a sore back, Taylor batted leadoff and was in center field. McKinstry is seeing regular time in right with Bellinger on the injured list due to a calf injury.
“Taylor holds his own in the way he plays the game, but for Zack to pick us up was big. Every time he plays he impacts the game somehow,” manager Dave Roberts said.
AJ Pollock also drove in three runs for the defending World Series champions, off to a 7-2 start that includes wins in four of their last five games. Julio Urías (2-0) allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Juan Soto homered twice and Ryan Zimmerman got three hits for the Nationals, who remain without four players due to coronavirus cases and quarantines. Zimmerman has multiple hits in three of Washington’s five games
Taylor’s two-out drive to left field off Patrick Corbin (0-1) was the key hit during a five-run second. Taylor’s first home run of the season came two batters after McKinstry’s single plated a pair of runs to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.
McKinstry made a big defensive play to end the top of the first when he threw out Zimmerman at third after a bloop RBI single by Starlin Castro.
“Every day I’m getting more confidence and picking up stuff. Whether it is moving in when pitchers are throwing batters inside or maybe taking a couple steps toward the infield,” McKinstry said about playing right field.
Pollock came up big in the seventh, clearing the bases with a two-out double to left. Andrew Stevenson tried…
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