While most other contenders were making a big trade or two at the deadline Wednesday, the Dodgers were relatively quiet.
The Dodgers struck a deal with the Rays for left-handed reliever Adam Kolarek, who doesn't remind anyone of their top relief target, Pirates flamethrower Felipe Vazquez. And they got light-hitting utility infielder Jedd Gyorko from the Cardinals.
That's it. While many Dodgers fans were unhappy the team didn't make a bigger acquisition, the Dodgers can make the case they're already set for the postseason, thank you very much. They entered the day with MLB's best record, and they added an exclamation point to that in their afternoon game against the Rockies.
The Dodgers broke open a scoreless tie at Coors Field with five runs in the ninth inning to win, 5-1. Dodgers catcher Will Smith had the big hit, a three-run homer off Wade Davis.
Nothing like a 9th-inning, 3-run HR to break a tie. pic.twitter.com/lcT0xDKql6
— MLB (@MLB) July 31, 2019
Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched six scoreless frames but got a no decision.
Sure, the Dodgers wanted Vazquez, but didn't want to pay the Pirates' reported asking price of two of the Dodgers' top four prospects.
So, the Dodgers (71-39) will have to hope the players they already have can carry them to their first World Series title since 1988. There is some help on the way from the farm — Los Angeles is reportedly calling up its top pitching prospect, right-hander Dustin May, from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start Friday at home against the Padres.
Studs of the Night
José Berríos pitched seven scoreless against the Marlins, striking out 11 and giving up only two hits.
Indians catcher Roberto Pérez hit two home runs and drove in four to key a 10-4 victory over the Astros.
Luis Castillo held the Pirates to one run and struck out seven in seven innings in the Reds' 4-1 win.
Dud of the Night
Angels reliever Luis García gave up a pair of homers and five runs in the eighth inning in a loss to the Tigers.
Highlights
Josh Donaldson stuns Nationals closer Sean Doolittle with this 10th inning home run in the Braves' win.
JOSH DONALDSON.
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) July 31, 2019
CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/pXF3iAjl2l
Shortstop Bo Bichette, the No. 8 overall MLB prospect, collected three hits and his first career home run to key Toronto's 4-1 victory over the Royals.
Bo Bichette has his first career home run 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4jFyba1GdZ
— Starting 9 (@Starting9) July 31, 2019
What's Next?
Cubs (57-50) at Cardinals (57-50), 8:15 p.m. ET — The NL Central seems headed for a down-to-the-wire finish between the Cubs, Cardinals and Brewers. Winning your games against divisional rivals is critical. The Cubs will send Jon Lester (9-6, 3.63 ERA) against Jack Flaherty (4-6, 4.17 ERA).