Kevin Kiermaier and Michael Kopech are getting new life with the Dodgers

STREET. Luis –

Kevin KiermaierThe Toronto Blue Jays were 14 games back in the American League East and Michael Kopech of the Chicago White Sox was 39½ games back in the American League Central before the July 30 trade deadline, two veterans who had fewer games left to play in stalled seasons.

But when they were traded to the Dodgers, both rode the express elevator to the standings, and the beautiful view atop the National League West brought new life and adrenaline to center field and relievers, as they demonstrated Friday night. victoria 7-6 on the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Kiermaier capped the second inning with a two-run single and a five-run sixth featuring three homers, and he raced to the warning track to score on Victor Scott II’s two-run single to end the sixth.

Kopech, making his first start for his new team in back-to-back games, went two for three in the ninth for the save, an outing that included the fastest four of 102.6 mph in his five-year career. – Closer to Scott.

Gavin Lux also hit a solo homer in the second, Mookie Betts homered in the sixth and Miguel Rojas doubled and scored in the second and added an RBI single in the sixth as the Dodgers snapped a two-game losing streak.

While the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres lost on the same day for the first time since July 28. The Dodgers increased their lead in the division up to three games against both teams.

“The players want to play, but they want to win,” coach Dave Roberts said of Kiermaier and Kopech. “You put those two guys in a winning environment and they’re ready when called upon and their teammates feed off of their gratitude for being here. They’re going to come with a vengeance and we need that grit where we’re at on the schedule and the timeline.”

Kiermaier, 34, has already announced he will retire after this season, his body battered after playing 12 seasons on artificial turf in Tampa Bay and Toronto.

While his several stellar defensive plays and clutch hits in 11 games with the Dodgers haven’t changed his mind about retirement, he is encouraged by his new surroundings.

Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech, left, celebrates with catcher Will Smith after Friday’s 7-6 win over the Cardinals.

(Jeff Le/Associated Press)

“Yeah, they gave me life,” Kiermaier said. “A playoff atmosphere, a team that plays every year in October, that’s what I want. My situation was like that last year in Toronto… I like the guys there, but when you don’t win, life isn’t as fun.

“It’s a blast to come here, be first in the division and fight these guys every day. I just want to do my part every day.”

Kopech went 2-8 with a 4.74 ERA in 43 games for the White Sox but was so dominant with the Dodgers, allowing one hit over 27 batters faced in 8 ⅓ eight games, with 13 strikeouts and one walk that he “made a strong case” to replace Daniel Hudson as the team’s closer, Roberts said.

“It’s a special club here and being able to be a part of it means a lot to me,” Kopech said. “I’m just trying to do my part to help win. Today it happened in the ninth inning.”

The Dodgers led 4-2 when they rallied for five runs in the sixth. Betts led off with a homer to left field and Lux, Will Smith and Rojas followed with two singles before Kiermaier’s 415-foot, three-run shot to right field off reliever Andrew Kittredge gave the Dodgers a 7-4 lead.

“I was brought here to play defense, but anything I can do offensively is a plus,” Kiermaier said. “We have a lot of talented players on this team. I’m just kind of lying in the weeds on holes seven, eight or nine. The other team probably doesn’t think much of me. That’s true. I try to do damage if I can.”

Dodgers left-hander Justin Wroblski allowed four runs and four hits, including a two-run homer by Paul Goldschmidt in the second, a solo homer by Masin Wynn in the third and a solo homer by Pedro Paez that traveled 462 feet to left-center in the fifth, in the five innings for a starting spot.

Relievers Michael Grove and Anthony Banda allowed two runs in the sixth as the Cardinals cut the deficit to 7-6, but Evan Phillips pitched a scoreless seventh and Joe Kelly, who was tagged for five runs and three homers in the third, pitched ⅔ innings of his first five games in August, eight scoreless.

That set the stage for Kopech, who struck out Scott on a 100-mile ball, advanced Wynn to third and struck out Willson Contreras on a 90-mile ball to end the game on a sweltering 86-degree afternoon.

“He’s got electric stuff,” Lux said of Kopech. “It’s a really special ball and the cutter and hard slider are good, too. He’s a guy you want next to you at the end of the game and closing the door. He’s been really impressive and I think we’ll get that next year, too, so it’s a really nice accomplishment.”

Kiermaier, a four-time Gold Glove winner, has been a quiet addition to the lefty side compared to Kopech and Jack Flaherty, the starter the Dodgers acquired from the Detroit Tigers. But his presence was definitely felt.

“Man, he’s a pro,” Lux said. “You know he goes out there every day and competes. He’s got great energy and brings a great vibe to the clubhouse. Everybody knows what a good center fielder he is, but he’s got really good hitting skills and works hard in the cage. It was a lot of fun to be around him.”