by Christian Romo
James Outman has shown two days in a row how to make an impact on a game.
On Saturday it was with his eyes and his legs. On Sunday it was with his bat.
The rookie center fielder, continuing to show growth in what has been a special season, hit his 19th homer of the season — part of the a Dodger offense that got rolling early in a 7–3 win against the Nationals on a rainy Sunday.
The Dodgers scored two runs in the first inning on a Jason Heyward single — their 108th and 109th first-inning runs of the season, a mark that trails only Atlanta’s MLB-leading 129 first-inning runs — before Outman led off the second inning with a solo shot that gave the Dodgers a 3–0 lead.
Los Angeles Dodgers on Twitter: “James Outman wastes no time. pic.twitter.com/pQlL0uOcOB / Twitter”
James Outman wastes no time. pic.twitter.com/pQlL0uOcOB
This comes one day after Outman drew an 11-pitch walk in the ninth inning, stole second base and took third on the throwing error, then scored the tying run. The Dodgers eventually lost 7–6 on another rain-soaked day, but it was another game where Outman has played a factor.
Outman is one home run away from becoming the 10th Dodger rookie to hit 20 homers in a season.
The August National League Rookie of the Month has had a strong showing in September — a big reason for Outman’s recent success is a more patient approach at the plate.
So far in September, Outman sports a 23.3% walk percentage, which is his best mark for a month of the season. He added another walk in the fifth inning and has watched his OBP balloon from .318 in the first half to .434 in the second.
Outman was part of a productive day from the Dodgers’ 7–8–9 in the lineup.
Miguel Rojas and Austin Barnes both knocked in a run each in the fifth inning. The Dodgers’ seven-through-nine hitters (Outman, Vargas, Barnes) went 7-for-14 with three RBI, with Rojas going 4-for-5 with four singles and an RBI.
Dodger Insider on Twitter: “This is Miguel Rojas’ first four-hit game of the year and first since 4/20/21. / Twitter”
This is Miguel Rojas’ first four-hit game of the year and first since 4/20/21.
“It’s good to see those guys put out some hits,” said manager Dave Roberts. “It just adds to the length in our lineup … The bottom carried us today.”
Dad Strength on the Mound
In his first start this season for the Dodgers, Ryan Yarbrough allowed five hits, two runs, and struck out five batters in four innings pitched, two days after being in Florida for the birth of his second daughter.
“It was really exciting, I’m just super blessed to be there for those experiences,” said Yarbrough.
The trade deadline acquisition has a 3.08 ERA in eight games with the Dodgers, striking out 24 batters to just one walk.
He left after a rain delay in the fifth inning and was replaced by Wander Suero, who the Dodgers called up today to replace reliever Gus Varland, who went on the injured list with right knee inflammation.
Betts Returns
Mookie Betts returned to the lineup on Sunday after missing the last two games with a bone bruise on his left foot. He finished 0-for-4 with a walk.
Peralta Leaves the Game Early
David Peralta left the game after a hit-by-pitch in the second inning, suffering a contusion to his left elbow. He was replaced by Kiké Hernández, who added an RBI double in the sixth inning.
Roberts said X-rays came back negative and that the swelling on Peralta’s elbow has dissipated.
Where They Stand
The Dodgers (87–55) took two out of three from the Nationals (64–79), and with a loss from the Diamondbacks on Sunday now hold a 13-game divisional lead. Their magic number now stands at seven.
The Dodgers will host the San Diego Padres for the first of a three-game series Monday night at 7:10 PT.
Bottoms up, as Outman, Rojas and Barnes key offense in getaway-day win was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.