Dodgers starting pitcher Landon Knack throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani checks his bat between pitches during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a single during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a single during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a single during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a single during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Ryan Weathers throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani runs on his way to stealing second base during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steals second base during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. Ohtani now has 48 home runs and 49 stolen bases in his quest for MLB’s first 50-50 season. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steals second base in front of the Miami Marlins’ Otto Lopez, left, during the first inning on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steals second base as the ball is overthrown to Miami Marlins second baseman Otto Lopez, left, during the first inning on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is safe at third base after advancing on a throwing error by Miami Marlins catcher Nick Fortes, as third base coach Dino Ebel, right, looks on during the first inning on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani slides into third base as the Miami Marlins’ Connor Norby takes a late throw during the first inning on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Miami Marlins catcher Nick Fortes, left, tags out Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani after Ohtani attempted to head home on a hit by Kike Hernández during the first inning on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Marlins catcher Nick Fortes tags Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani for an out after he is caught trying to score from third during the first inning on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, left, runs the bases after hitting a home run as third base coach Dino Ebel looks on during the second inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith gets a sunflower seed shower as he returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the second inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the second inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers starting pitcher Landon Knack throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
The Miami Marlins’ Otto Lopez reacts to avoid an inside pitch during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers starting pitcher Landon Knack throws to the plate during the third inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Dodgers third baseman Kike Hernández throws to first base during the second inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hits a single during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough, left, congratulates Freddie Freeman after Freeman hit a single during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
The Dodgers’ Tommy Edman hits a two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Tommy Edman hits a two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
The Dodgers’ Tommy Edman runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
The Dodgers’ Tommy Edman, left, celebrates with teammate Will Smith, right, and Freddie Freeman after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Tommy Edman, right, celebrates with Will Smith after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
The Dodgers’ Tommy Edman, right, celebrates with teammates Freddie Freeman (5) and Will Smith after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, left, congratulates Tommy Edman after Edman hit a two-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
The Dodgers’ Kiké Hernández watches the flight of his three-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Ryan Weathers reacts after giving up a three-run home run to the Dodgers’ Kike Hernandez during the fourth inning on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Kike Hernández, center, celebrates with teammates Andy Pages, left, and Will Smith after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Kike Hernández, center, celebrates with teammates Andy Pages, left, and Will Smith after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Kike Hernández flashes a smile in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out during the fourth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers starting pitcher Landon Knack throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman celebrates after hitting a double during the fifth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages, left, catches the ball for an out in front of right fielder Teoscar Hernandez during the fifth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman throws to first base for an out as second baseman Mookie Betts ducks during the fifth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Dodgers third baseman Kike Hernández, right, tags out the Miami Marlins’ Xavier Edwards as he dives into third base during the seventh inning on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
The Miami Marlins’ Xavier Edwards is tagged out by Dodgers third baseman Kike Hernández, not pictured, after attempting to advance to third during the seventh inning on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly throws to the plate during the seventh inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is unable to catch the ball on an errant throw by third baseman Kike Hernández, as the Miami Marlins’ Xavier Edwards reaches first safely during the seventh inning on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Marlins third baseman Connor Norby throws to first during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
The Miami Marlins’ Otto Lopez hits a two-run single during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, right, congratulates Otto Lopez after Lopez scored on a sacrifice fly hit by Nick Fortes during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith slides safely into second base before a tag by the Miami Marlins’ Xavier Edwards during the eighth inning on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith, front, and Freddie Freeman celebrate in the dugout after scoring on a single by Chris Taylor during the eighth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out during the eighth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
The Miami Marlins’ Jesús Sánchez reacts after swinging for a strike during the eighth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts catches a sacrifice fly hit by the Miami Marlins’ Nick Fortes during the ninth inning on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy throws to second base for an out during the eighth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Miami Marlins’ Connor Norby, right, is forced out at second base as Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman catches the ball during the eighth inning on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, and relief pitcher Brent Honeywell shake hands after the final out of the ninth inning in their 8-4 victory over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani talks to a teammate in the dugout during the eighth inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani warms up in the outfield before a game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani warms up in the outfield before a game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
1 of 60
Dodgers starting pitcher Landon Knack throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night in Miami. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Coming off his worst start, Knack turned in one of his best. He allowed just two hits over five scoreless innings as the Dodgers beat the Miami Marlins, 8-4, on Wednesday night.
The victory gives the Dodgers 90 wins for the 11th consecutive full season. The Dodgers (90-62) maintained their 3½-game lead over the second-place San Diego Padres (87-66) in the National League West and could clinch a 12th consecutive playoff spot as soon as Thursday. They lead the Milwaukee Brewers (88-64) by two games for the No. 2 seed in the NL playoffs, which comes with a first-round bye.
“It’s quite the accomplishment. I don’t really appreciate how fortunate we have been, how good we have been,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But when you look at it like that, it’s pretty impressive. It’s one of the best organizations in baseball as far as consistency of winning. We’ve had to go through our fair share of adversities and still win 90 games and being on the verge of clinching a postseason berth, you can’t take it for granted.”
In pursuit of his own accomplishment, Shohei Ohtani singled in the first inning and stole second base on the next pitch. It was his 49th stolen base of the season, leaving him two home runs and one stolen base away from the first 50-50 season in MLB history.
Ohtani went to third on a throwing error by the catcher but was out trying to score on a ground ball by Teoscar Hernandez and went hitless with two strikeouts in his next four at-bats.
As he has closed in on history, Ohtani is 6 for 32 (.188) over his past eight games.
Knack also gave up a single to the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the first inning and stranded him at third base after Xavier Edwards stole second and went to third on a bad throw.
Knack didn’t give up another hit until Nick Fortes singled with two outs in the fifth inning.
The right-hander had the same line – two hits in five scoreless innings – in a start against the Angels in June. He struck out just two in that game. He struck out seven Marlins on Wednesday.
“Just angrily stew over the last one,” Knack said of how he spent the four days between starts. “I was obviously not happy with that one, so I was just very angry, ready to bounce back from that a little bit and get things back on track.”
That anger might have led to the uptick in Knack’s fastball velocity. He averaged 94.5 mph on 52 four-seam fastballs, touching 96 mph, up from his season average of 93.3 mph and got six swings-and-misses with it.
“That was huge to be able to have that,” Knack said. “It was also just, the location on that was much better tonight. So just overall, the fastball just felt much, much better, just being able to put it more so where I wanted. Especially locating bottom of the zone. That opened up a lot of things.”
Knack has allowed two runs or fewer in eight of his 11 starts this year. That should be enough to put him on a postseason roster.
“I think so,” Roberts said. “You know what – he’s gonna get a couple more opportunities. I just really like the way he has an arsenal that can get different hitters out. He really commands the baseball. I just like the confidence that he’s exuding on the mound. So yeah, when you look out, look forward, he’s certainly really in the mix.”
By the time Knack left after five innings Wednesday, the Dodgers had built a 6-0 lead thanks to a five-run fourth inning. The Dodgers have scored four runs or more in an inning during each of their past four games.
Wednesday’s big inning featured a two-run home run by Tommy Edman and a three-run home run by Kiké Hernandez.
The Dodgers talked up a number of assets they valued when they acquired Edman – his versatility as a switch-hitter and his defense at multiple positions, mainly. No one mentioned his power. But Edman has now hit six home runs in his past eight games.
“Really surprised with the power,” Roberts said and he wasn’t alone.
“Honestly, kind of a little surprised,” Edman himself admitted. “The wrist didn’t feel good for a while (after surgery last fall). I was kind of expecting to be back for spring training and it kept lingering for a few months and finally started to feel good in June, July and then I sprained the ankle. I think actually spraining the ankle allowed my wrist to have some more time to recover and maybe that helped with being back to full strength once I started to play again.”
That big lead survived a rocky Dodgers debut by left-hander Zach Logue. Promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Logue gave up hits to the only three batters he faced in the seventh inning and all three scored before Blake Treinen closed out the inning.
The Dodgers opened their lead back up with Chris Taylor’s two-run single in the eighth inning.
'I destroyed months of your work in seconds' says AI coding tool after deleting a devs entire database during a code freeze: 'I panicked instead of thinking'
The dairy industry would like Gen Z to drink more milk, so they made a Fortnite diner tycoon game
Microsoft warns of 'active attacks' on its government and business server tech, with one cybersecurity expert claiming that they should 'assume that you have been compromised'
Brütal Legend is free in honor of Ozzy Osbourne, but only for 666 minutes
