LOS ANGELES -- Alex Vesia made his 58th appearance in Sunday's eighth inning, retired the two batters he faced, then walked into the dugout and delivered a message to Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

"If we're up in the ninth," Vesia recalled saying, "I want it."

Vesia had been relied upon heavily all season, but a sweep against the San Diego Padres -- the team that shockingly pulled ahead in the division earlier this week -- was in play. The top of the lineup was due up, the bullpen was shorthanded, and so Vesia wanted the ball again. Roberts, who had already burned through all of his available high-leverage relievers, responded affirmatively.

"You got it," he said.

Three pitches later, Mookie Betts delivered a tiebreaking home run, paving the way for Vesia to quickly

See Full Page