Gavin Stone struck out 10 over seven innings, Gavin Lux and Max Muncy hit home runs in the seventh and the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled out a 3-0 victory over the visiting Seattle Mariners on Monday in the opener of a nine-game homestand.
Stone (11-5) had his career strikeout high by the fourth inning when he had fanned eight Mariners. He gave up just two hits, matching his lowest mark ever in a start, equaling his performance in an April 26 win at Toronto.
Muncy delivered in his return from a three-month absence caused by an oblique injury and a rehab that included three separate setbacks in his recovery.
Seattle right-hander Bryan Woo fired six scoreless innings before Lux’s one-out home run in the seventh. The Mariners lost for the sixth time in seven games, all since the start of a nine-game road trip.
Woo (5-2) entered the outing having made two seven-inning scoreless appearances in his last three starts. The California native, who gave up two runs on two hits and two walks over 6 1/3 innings, was making his first career start at Dodger Stadium. He struck out five.
The Mariners’ lineup included Justin Turner, who was playing in his first game at Los Angeles since leaving the Dodgers following the 2022 season after nine years with his hometown club. The Dodgers held a pregame ceremony for Turner, who went 1-for-3.
The Dodgers had just one hit before Lux homered to left-center off Woo. It was Lux’s ninth home run of the season and his third in seven games. Woo followed the homer by hitting Will Smith with a pitch, prompting Seattle manager Scott Servais to summon former Dodgers right-hander Yimi Garcia.
Muncy hit Garcia’s fourth pitch into the Mariners’ bullpen in right field.
Evan Phillips pitched a perfect ninth inning for the Dodgers to earn his 16th save.
In addition to Muncy’s return, Tommy Edman made his Los Angeles debut and his season debut following a late July trade from the St. Louis Cardinals. Edman, who had been out because of wrist and ankle injuries, finished 1-for-3.
The victory allowed the Dodgers to maintain a three-game National League West lead on the San Diego Padres and a four-game lead on the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Mariners, who were tied for first place in the American League West as recently as Aug. 11, dropped five games behind the Houston Astros.
–Field Level Media