HOUSTON -- What began as a potential setback for the Dodgers’ rotation shifted into a dominant offensive performance at Daikin Park. Despite losing Tyler Glasnow to lower back pain after one inning, Los Angeles secured a 12-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday, led by a career-high, three-home run performance from Andy Pages.
The win concluded the series by demonstrating how the Dodgers’ lineup can support a bullpen forced into sudden, long-relief innings. While the early focus was on Glasnow’s exit, the final eight frames were defined by a 14-hit attack that prevented Houston from capitalizing on the early pitching change.
The breakout began in the third inning. After Shohei Ohtani scored on a wild pitch to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead, Pages hit a three-run home run to left field off Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. Two innings later, the center fielder added a two-run shot to extend the lead to 9-1. He completed the first three-homer game of his career in the ninth inning with a solo blast to left field off César Salazar.
The feat marked the first time a Dodger has hit three home runs in a single game since Max Muncy accomplished the task on April 10 against the Texas Rangers.
"Just having a lot of confidence in what I'm doing up there," Pages said through interpreter Juan Dorado. "The bad streak really happened when I was hitting the ball well and hitting the ball hard, just not finding a lot of holes. But staying to my plan, staying confident in my approach, and the results are coming now."
Manager Dave Roberts attributed the offensive breakout to a shift in mentality, noting that his hitters attacked the zone with more aggression than earlier in the week.
"I thought today there was just more intent to scare him out of the zone," Roberts said. "I thought the swings were with more conviction. It wasn't as much in between ... just a lot less indecisiveness and conviction behind the swings."
Pages also contributed defensively in the seventh inning, making a leaping catch in center field to rob Cam Smith of extra bases. At 25 years old, Pages is the youngest regular in a Dodgers starting lineup that frequently features six players age 31 or older. Roberts attributed the young outfielder's success to his preparation and mental growth over the last year.
"He’s a hard worker, every day he has a plan," Roberts said. "He studies pitchers' tendencies. He studies his swing where it's at. And for a guy to kind of right the ship after hitting a lull ... that was good to see."
His production in the middle of the order provides a youthful contrast for a veteran-heavy roster that has dealt with various offensive stretches this season.
The double-digit run support provided a necessary cushion for a relief corps navigating several absences. With several key pieces of the staff currently on the injured list, the Dodgers relied on six different relievers to finish the game. Jack Dreyer, Edgardo Henriquez, Kyle Hurt, Blake Treinen, Tanner Scott, and Brock Stewart combined to allow just one run over the final eight innings.
For Roberts, the challenge was managing a sudden bullpen game without compromising the staff for the upcoming homestand.
"I think for me it was more of first making sure Tyler was OK, and then you sort of try to think about eight innings and how you're going to do it," Roberts said. "Given the situation with Tyler, it couldn't have been a better outcome. We got guys in there at not much cost going into an off-day."
This ability to manage unexpected pitching changes is a primary reason the Dodgers remain at the top of the National League West standings. In a season where the pitching staff has faced multiple injury-related adjustments, the offensive output from younger contributors like Pages remains a central component of the team’s consistency.
By securing the series in Houston despite the sudden rotation uncertainty, the Dodgers established a resilient blueprint they will likely need as they return home to face an Atlanta team that currently holds the best record in baseball.
"I do think that kind of what we've done the last few days and having the off day to reset, it's going to be a fun one," Roberts said. "We’re going to need to play our best baseball at home."