Will Smith hits 3 home runs as Dodgers rally to beat Brewers
Smith becomes only the fourth Dodgers catcher to have a three-homer game, setting the stage for them to win, 8-5, with a three-run rally in the eighth inning
The Dodgers’ Will Smith celebrates in the dugout after hitting his second home run of the game during the third inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Smith added a third homer in the seventh inning and the Dodgers rallied for an 8-5 win. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman watches his tiebreaking two-run single during the eighth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow throws to the plate during their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steps up to bat during the first inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani dodges an inside pitch during the first inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Aaron Civale throws to the plate during their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, right, hits a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, right, hits a solo home run off of Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Aaron Civale, left, during the first inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, right, begins to run the bases after hitting a solo home run off of Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Aaron Civale, left, during the first inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell watches as a ball hit by the Dodgers’ Will Smith goes over the fence and into the seats for a solo home run during the first inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Smith hit two more homers later in the game. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith gestures to the dugout as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Smith added two more home runs later in the game. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, center, scores after hitting a solo home run as teammate Freddie Freeman waits to congratulate him during the first inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith is hit with sunflower seeds thrown by a teammate as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Smith hit two more homers later in the game. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, left, celebrates with teammate Teoscar Hernández after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman reaches to catch a high throw for an out on the Milwaukee Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins, right, during the second inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Aaron Civale throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani shows his frustration after he struck out during the third inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, left, is hit with sunflower seeds thrown by teammate Teoscar Hernández as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. It was the second of Smith’s three home runs in the game. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith celebrates in the dugout after hitting his second home run of the game during the third inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Smith added a third homer in the seventh inning and the Dodgers rallied for an 8-5 win. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas makes a one-handed catch on a ball that went for an infield single by the Milwaukee Brewers’ Brice Turang during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, bottom, stretches to catch a wide throw from shortstop Miguel Rojas as the Milwaukee Brewers’ Brice Turang is safe on an infield single during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux can’t make the play on a ball hit by the Milwaukee Brewers’ Willy Adames during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow reacts after allowing the bases to be loaded during the fourth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow shows his frustration after loading up the bases during the fourth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins hits a grand slam during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins hits a grand slam off of Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow, left, during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins, right, hits a grand slam during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins hits a grand slam during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins, left, begins to run the bases as he watches the flight of his grand slam off of Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow, right, during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages leaps but can’t catch a ball hit for a grand slam by the Milwaukee Brewers’ Rys Hoskins during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow shows his frustration after giving up a grand slam to the Milwaukee Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins (12) is greeted by teammate William Contreras (24) as he reaches home plate after hitting a grand slam during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins celebrates with his teammates in the dugout after hitting a grand slam during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas, right, celebrates with teammate Andy Pages after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas gets showered with sunflower seeds as he returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, right, throws sunflower seeds at teammate Miguel Vargas as Vargas returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Joel Payamps throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani leaves the batter’s box as he lines out during the seventh inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith hits a solo home run during the seventh inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. It was Smith’s third homer of the game. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, left, watches the flight of his solo home run off of Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Bryan Hudson, center, during the seventh inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. It was Smith’s third home run of the game. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. It was Smith’s third homer of the game. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, right, finishes running the bases after hitting a solo home run as teammate Freddie Freeman waits to congratulate him during the seventh inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. It was Smith’s third home run of the game. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, left, greets teammate Will Smith after Smith hit a solo home run during the seventh inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. It was Smith’s third homer of the game. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, left, is congratulated by teammate Teoscar Hernández as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run that tied the score during the seventh inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. It was Smith’s third home run of the game. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, left, is congratulated by teammate Teoscar Hernández as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run that tied the score during the seventh inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. It was Smith’s third home run of the game. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hits a tiebreaking two-run single during the eighth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hits a tiebreaking two-run single during the eighth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman leaves the batter’s box after hitting a tiebreaking two-run single during the eighth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, right, hits an RBI double to extend their lead during the eighth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández runs after hitting an RBI double during the eighth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, left, celebrates after hitting an RBI double as Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins looks on during the eighth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, left, is congratulated by teammate Teoscar Hernandez after Freeman hit a tiebreaking two-run single during the eighth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodger relief pitcher Evan Philips reacts after the final out of the ninth inning in their comeback win against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, and catcher Will Smith congratulate each other after the Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 8-5, on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith does a postgame interview after he hit three home runs in their comeback win against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani prepares in the dugout before their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani looks on from the dugout before their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani looks on from the dugout before their game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — The starting catcher for the National League All-Star team was on the field at Dodger Stadium on Friday night. The other guy hit three home runs.
Smith’s power display kept the Dodgers close enough for Freddie Freeman’s two-run single and Teoscar Hernandez’s RBI double in the eighth inning to give them an 8-5 victory over the Brewers.
“What a night,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “One to right-center field then to go to left field and then hit another one off the foul pole, really impressive. He’s just so consistent and he just doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves of being one of the top two catchers in the game.
“Today, he came up big and until that eighth inning it was all him essentially.”
It nearly wasn’t enough thanks to another problematic start by a Dodgers pitcher.
Tyler Glasnow allowed just three hits and became the first Dodgers starter to complete six innings in seven games, but he gave up five runs in the fourth inning.
In seven games since Gavin Stone threw a complete-game shutout in Chicago, the Dodgers’ starting pitchers have been stuck in a valley. With Glasnow’s performance Friday, they have allowed 30 runs in 30 innings on 42 hits and 13 walks.
Glasnow seemed ready to reverse the rotation’s trend. He retired the first nine Brewers in order – then faced eight in the fourth inning alone.
An infield single, two walks and an RBI single punched through the right side by Willy Adames brought Rhys Hoskins up with the bases loaded and one out. Glasnow grooved a 98 mph fastball up in the strike zone on his first pitch and Hoskins clubbed it into the left field pavilion for a grand slam.
“I think the (Brice) Turang infield hit and then the walk to Contreras and then I think he started getting a little frustrated, a little quick,” Roberts said.
Glasnow was more direct when asked to pinpoint the problem that inning.
“He hit a homer,” Glasnow said. “I just think that inning, especially the timing was a little weird and then not executing, falling behind and then just heater up and he put a good barrel on it.”
Glasnow did make it through six innings – the first time a starter has made it into the sixth for the Dodgers since Stone’s gem against the White Sox.
The Brewers put all their eggs in that five-run basket. They had just one hit in the other eight innings of the game.
The crooked number in the fourth did reverse an early Dodgers lead built on Smith’s first two home runs, both solo shots.
In the bottom of the fourth, Miguel Vargas made it a one-run game with a two-run home run.
“Vargas really had a big night for us,” Roberts said.
“He’s been great. He’s in a very good and confident headspace. Ready when called upon. He’s working in left field every day. His body looks great. He wants to be in there. He’s prepared. … If he keeps having good at-bats like that, he’s going to get more opportunities.”
In the seventh, Smith did it again, jumping on a first-pitch cutter from former Dodgers reliever Bryan Hudson and sending a high fly ball down the left field line that banged off the foul pole to tie the score.
Smith had just two home runs in 99 plate appearances before Friday and had never hit three in a game. Only three previous Dodgers catchers had – Roy Campanella in 1950, Mike Piazza in 1996 and Yasmani Grandal in 2016.
“I think that’s baseball. There’s always ups and downs,” said Smith, who took a 2-for-34 slump into last weekend’s series in San Francisco and was given extra time off by Roberts to work on his swing.
“Just continued to work, mix in minor swing adjustments. I think over the last week, there has been better contact, and yeah tonight there were a few out there.”
Vargas started the winning rally in the eighth with a leadoff single. Walks of Chris Taylor and Smith loaded the bases for Freeman with two outs.
The Brewers brought in side-arming lefty Hoby Milner to face Freeman, who was 2 for 12 in his career against the specialist. That became 3 for 13 when Freeman punched a two-run single through the middle. Hernandez’s double into the left-field corner added an insurance run.
“They bring in the lefty and Freddie, his ability to not have any moment get too big, he just grinds and competes and he has a way to put the ball in play,” Roberts said. “He wants to be that guy and he’s done it for us time and time again.”
Shohei Ohtani was not part of the party Friday. He marked his 30th birthday by going 0 for 5 with strikeouts in his first three at-bats, extending a career-long streak to six consecutive at-bats with strikeouts. Ohtani has slipped into a slump over the past week with 15 strikeouts in his past 29 at-bats.
Will Smith hits one deep to the right! Dodgers lead 1-0.
