(East Los Angeles, CA) April 11, 2021 [From The Editor’s Desk]: The 2020 World Champion L.A. Dodgers returned home in a big fashion to host the Washington Nationals, over this past weekend’s Friday, Saturday, and Sunday game dates, much to the delight of their thousands and thousands of fans waiting to purchase tickets and see their favorite team play “in-person” at Dodger Stadium, here in the City of Angels. I think one of the best ways to describe our Dodgers fans’ feelings about heading back to the Stadium is taken from Justin Turner’s quote to the L.A.Times, when he said, ‘Most people consider it their home away from home, even more so with a testing and a voting site.’  The game’s in-person fan attendance meter was listed at 15,306.

On Friday, Opening Day & Ring Ceremony Day, for the 1:00 pm game on it’s (“Another Beautiful Day In L.A.”), Manager Dave Roberts sent out his young-gun pitching ace, right-hander, Walker Buehler, as the starting pitcher. He did not disappoint in the slightest, and pitched (6) strong innings against the Nationals, who came in with a (1-2) record. He was credited with a (1-0) win. Corey Knebel came on in relief and managed to complete the shut-out while earning his 2nd save of the new season. Leading the Dodgers hitting attack was 3B/JustinTurner who had (3) hits, but the most important of them all was his solo home run to left-centerfield in the 6th inning.

Next, on Saturday evening, and in commemoration of Tommy Lasorda Day, southpaw, #7/Julio Urias, took the mound and pitched (5.2) innings before Manager Dave Roberts lifted him for reliever, Jimmy Nelson. Urias got credit for the win and boosted his record to (2-0).The Dodger bats were booming and produced 9 runs in defeating the Nationals for a (9-5) win. The win moved the Dodgers early season record to (7-2). Dodger bats were cracking hot and heavy with CF/Chris Taylor hitting his first HR of the season, a three run shot to deep left. He was gladly joined by LF/AJ Pollock who was (1-3) with (3) RBIs, 1B/Max Muncy who went (2-2) with 2 runs, and Justin Turner going (2-5) with 1 RBI and 1 run. Rounding out Manager Dave Roberts’ offensive attack, was the rookie newcomer, RF/Zach McKinstry, who went (1-3) and had (2) RBIs.

And finally, to close out their first home-stand of the season, the Dodgers sent their veteran ace, and future “Hall of Famer,” #22/Clayton Kershaw to the mound in search of a sweep. Kershaw, now (2-0), put the Nationals to sleep with his rhythmic delivery, his command control of pitches, and his mental approach to facing hitters when he had fallen behind, or was in a jam. He worked (6.0) scoreless innings, with (6)Ks, (5) hits, and (0) walks. The bullpen was solid and finished with appearances of (1) inning each by Corey Knebel, Blake Treinen, and Thee Closer, Kenley Jansen, who earned the Save. The Dodgers were led again by McKinstry who stayed impressively hot with his bat, going (2-3) and was credited with all (3) RBIs in the game. The Dodgers scored (1) run in the 2nd and (2) in the 7th for a (3-0) shut-out and their 8th win in (10) games, good for the top spot in the NL West.

Sunday afternoon’s promotional game-day marked the honoring and saluting of #34/Fernando “El Toro” Valenzuela. If you attended the game, I hope they might have played “El Corrido de Fernando Valenzuela.” For our viewers who may not know that much about Fernando, or his “Fernandomania” phenomena, take a look at Vince Scully’s 9th inning call of his June 29, 1990 “No-Hitter” versus the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium.

(Next Up): Colorado Rockies (3-7), on 4/13, 4/14, and 4/15. All games are scheduled for 7:10 pm starts. Media outlets carrying the Dodgers are Spectrum SportsNet, Radio Station 570 AM (*English) and Radio Station KTNQ-AM (*Spanish). Most games will be Streamed and Televised this season.