(Arlington) No stack, no champagne, a face covering for almost everyone - the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their first World Series championship since 1988 in a way no one could have imagined before the coronavirus pandemic.
They started the party without Justin Turner, as their red-haired star learned he tested positive for COVID-19 during the pivotal meeting.
Turner was taken out after the seventh inning of the Dodgers' 3-1 win in Game 6 of the World Series over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday after receiving Major Baseball's first positive test in 59 days. He wasn't on the pitch while his teammates experienced the ecstasy of triumph in a season unlike any other.
Turner, 35, a Dodgers roster for seven of their eight consecutive Nationals West titles, finally returned to the field with his wife about an hour after the end. Match. He took photos with the trophy, hugged longtime teammate Clayton Kershaw and was present for a team photo.
“Thanks everyone, but I feel great, no symptoms,” Turner wrote on Twitter. I went through the whole range of emotions. I can't believe I can't celebrate with the guys! I am so proud of this team and incredibly happy for the city of Los Angeles! "
PHOTO TIM HEITMAN, USA TODAY SPORTS
Mookie Betts (50)
Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed Turner's positive diagnosis moments after handing over the World Series trophy - a reminder of all that has been different in the Dodgers-dominated season.
Mookie Betts scored the winning run in the sixth inning, then added an insurance run with a solo homerun in the eighth for the Dodgers, who were competing in the Fall Classic for the third time in four seasons. They won the series 4-2 and captured a seventh World Series title.
“This is our year,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts exclaimed into the crowd of about 11,000 in Texas.
After being handcuffed by Blake Snell for five innings, the Dodgers turned things around in the sixth when Rays manager Kevin Cash replaced his starter at the mound with reliever Nick Anderson.
“I regret that decision because it didn't work out,” Cash said, adding later that “I thought Blake did his job, and more. "
Meanwhile, seven Dodgers pitchers limited the Rays hitters to five hits. Julio Urias caused the last seven strikeouts and ended the game by striking Willy Adames out. It was the 16 th strikeout by Dodgers pitchers in the game.
The Dodgers celebrated in the heart of the infield at Globe Life Park, home of the Texas Rangers. The World Series was presented in a neutral location due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This did not change the happiness of the members of the Dodgers. Several of them, including star pitcher Kershaw, had experienced the disappointment of World Series failures in 2017, against the Houston Astros, and in 2018, against the Boston Red Sox.
PHOTO ERIC GAY, ASSOCIATED PRESS
The disappointment was palpable on the side of the Rays.
This time around, they dominated the shortened regular season with a 43-17 record, then defeated the top team in the American League in the grand final.
“For guys like Clayton, I couldn't be happier. I couldn't be happier for you “Kersh,” said Roberts. Want a story? He is a champion. He will forever be a champion. "
Corey Seager has been named the World Series MVP. He's averaged .400 in six games, with two home runs and five RBIs.
Randy Arozarena gave the Rays the lead with a solo homerun against opener Tony Gonsolin in the first inning.
The Rays, however, lacked opportunism early in the game. After the Arozareno circuit, they left two runners on the trails in first and two more in second.
Meanwhile, Snell was nearly perfect after five innings, having only given Chris Taylor a single in the third.
Cash, however, took the ball out of his hands after he conceded a single to Austin Barnes after a sixth out. Betts greeted Anderson with a double down the line to left field.
The Dodgers went on to score two runs without taking the ball out of infield, thanks to a poor pitch from Anderson and a ground from Seager. Betts easily edged out Ji-Man Choi's first baseman relay on the play.
Turner followed with a long ball to left field, but Arozarena caught the ball at the warning lane. Cash quickly replaced Anderson at the mound with Aaron Loup, who dampened the Dodgers' momentum by knocking out Max Muncy on a ground to second base.
Snell had limited the Dodgers hitters to two hits in five and a third innings. He had made nine strikeouts and made just 73 shots. He was eventually debited by a point.
“I felt good and I think he saw that I was okay. I didn't want to be replaced, ”said Snell, who also said he understood and respected Cash's reasoning.
The Rays' philosophy is not to allow their starters to face opposing hitters a third time in a game. Snell, the Cy-Young Trophy winner in the American in 2018, hasn't completed the sixth round of a start since July 21, 2019.
“I respect and understand the question. Blake gave us a chance to win. He was brilliant. These are not easy decisions to make. But I didn't want Mookie to face Blake for a third time, ”Cash said.
We'll never know what turn the game would have taken if Snell had stayed in the game, but that doesn't matter to the Dodgers.
“I'm not sure why (Cash) did this, but I'm not going to question it. (Snell) was throwing quite a game, ”admitted Betts.
“We had the opportunity to provoke something. They changed the pitcher and that's all we needed, ”he concluded.
