But first… so, yeah – it turns out that Seattle is headed our way instead of vice versa… I’ll have to have a little chat with my travel guy to gain an understanding of why he thought it was appropriate to book us a flight to Seattle when the games will be played in our park – don’t worry, I won’t fire him.
Los Angeles Lakers (60-45, .571, 1st NL West) @ Seattle Sounders (63-43, .594, 1st AL West)
A battle of Best Coast powerhouses… With Josiah Weber on the decline in Philadelphia (your boy has posted a 6-9 record with a career-worst 3.98 ERA) the distinction of being the best pitcher in the MLB has to go to Seattle’s Bradley Hughes – the 27-year-old, 4-time All-Star, and 2073 Pacheco winner is currently posting a 15-3 record with a 2.70 ERA and with him anchoring their staff – Seattle is the top-ranked pitching club in the AL and are ranked 1st in Starters ERA and 2nd in runs against. Offensively, they are solid – balanced & complimentary 1 through 9 with the 2nd ranked Batter WAR in the AL. The Sounders are no joke – sure their color scheme and jerseys are an easy target, but when it comes to baseball, they got something snappy. With their staff and an offense that boasts two 20+ HR guys – Patrick Adams (22) & Austin Rollins (23), this will be a tough series for the La La’s…
106 of 162: Skylar Kunzman (0-1, 4.35) @ Dejuan Burns (9-5, 3.86)
Cooke goes 2 for 4 with a home run and a double with 3 runs and 3 RBI & Dejuan Burns gets his first win in a Los Angeles uniform in the 6-2 victory. Burns allowed no earned runs off of 5 hits and records 6 strikeouts. After Pepper got us the lead in the 6th when he drove in a run on a single and we never looked back – Otto finished 0 for 3, Mullens 0 for 4, while Zarate, Cooke, and Grant each get 2 hits.
107 of 162: Bradley Hughes (15-3, 2.70) @ Case Tunnell (8-3, 3.41)
The best pitcher in the league on the mound, Otto on a day off, and we still find a way to keep it competitive – but, Kawka sinks us in the top of the 10th giving up 3 runs before getting out of the inning – man, how the mighty have fallen, Josiah has been terrible of late. I’m not sure he will ever break out of this slump. Great day for Nehemiah Jenkins who went 3 for 4 with 2 runs and 3 RBI in a losing effort as we fall in game two by a score of 8-5.
108 of 162: David Arney (9-5, 2.89) @ Julen Morales (12-5, 3.52)
Julen takes a 5-hitter into the 7th and Adrian Bae picks up is 2nd save in the combined shutout victory over the Sounders, La La’s win 5-0. Otto scores and Pepper drives in 2 in the contest – good team effort and nice series win against a great club – bringing our season series against Seattle to 3-3.
No rest for the wicked - on our way to San Diego to face the #2 team in the AL West…