One look at the flags in center field at Wrigley Field would tell the players all they needed to know about today’s game…wind is blowing out, and so will the baseball. Actual to fruition, this game was a straight-up old-school style slugfest, and at many times it seemed like the Dodgers were going to come away with the win, but unfortunately, that would not be the case. Tommy Edman went deep again in the first inning to put the Dodgers up 3-0. The Cubs responded even better off starter Dustin May, and by the end of the first inning, the Dodgers were down 5-3. Struggling Andy Pages found his swing at the top of the second and parked one into the bleachers to make the score 5-4. The score stayed this way until the fifth, when Pete Crow-Armstrong took one deep and put the Cubs up 7-4. Starting to see a pattern here of what you can do, I can do better baseball style at the top of the sixth. Will Smith took a fastball and put it in the seats to make the score 7-5. An active top of the seventh was a Dodger show with Teoscar Hernandez hitting into a fielder choice that brought a run in followed by a Freddie Freeman double which had the Dodgers in the lead 8-7 and not done there Edman hits a sac fly and make the score 9-7 and then Will Smith added another run to the board off a sharp line drive and the score is now 10-7 Dodgers. The bottom of the eighth had the Cubs starting to rally, with their newest superstar, Kyle Tucker, hitting a two-run homer to have the score 10-9 going into the ninth. The Dodgers brought in closer Tanner Scott to finish the game out, and the Cubs’ Miguel Amaya takes one deep to left center and ties the game 10-10. Going into extras, the Dodgers were unable to get anything going, and the Cubs, coming up to bat in the bottom of the tenth, took advantage of recently called-up Noah Davis, and Ian Happ brought home the game-winning run, and the Cubs won 11-10.
It is hard to be optimistic after losing this game, especially after having the chance to close it out in the ninth. The one positive I can say is that the offense responded each time they were put down on the scoreboard, but not getting the run in from second in the tenth was a killer. If you do not take advantage of that in extra innings, it’s tough to come out with a win, and there’s no blame to Davis as he was thrown into the fire after just getting back up to the club, but there may be some questions that need to be answered coming up in the ninth inning. Tanner Scott has been getting saves and entering 8 out of 9 on his chances. Still, in many of those saves, there were some dangerous innings that he could work himself out of. Still, if you keep playing with fire, you will eventually get burned, and while he was able to get out of the ninth without letting the Cubs win, that homer by Amaya hurts, as the ball that was hit was smoked. The pitch location was not very good, especially in a tight game in the ninth. The great thing about baseball is that they play nearly every day, so they get a chance to get redemption as soon as tomorrow night for the last regular season meeting between the teams, who seem to play each other every other week this early in the season.
Mentioning Pages’ homer earlier, I would be remiss not to mention his huge run-saving throw to home plate, which showcased his arm strength, which can be a game-changer out in left. Dustin May had a hard night, which will happen occasionally for any pitcher not named Koufax, and I am sure he will bounce back in his next start, as he is a competitor. Tanner Scott will have to look in the mirror and make some adjustments as he has the pitching skills capable of being a lights out closer as does many others in the bullpen and losing close games like today may have manager Dave Roberts looking into giving a chance for a new arm to get a save when the opportunity arises again. I still believe in this team and these early-season losses, where they are blowing leads in the ninth or getting hammered at home by this same Cubs team a week earlier, will straighten themselves out and get better as the season goes on. Please don’t lose hope, Dodger fans. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and there are a lot of games left for some Dodger magic to take hold and give us another ride into October. Until next time, keep bleeding blue.
Clay Gregory
Growing up and living in Oklahoma I fell in love with the game of baseball from an early age from playing T ball through High School. I have always had an admiration for the Boys in Blue with how the Dodger Way is the right way to play the game. Tommy Lasorda is my favorite manager of all time and my all-time favorite players are Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Sandy Koufax, Pedro Guerrero, Mike Piazza and Clayton Kershaw. I am enamored with Dodgers history from the Brooklyn days when they were Dem Bums to the days of Fernandomania to Mannywood and beyond. Vin Scully will always be the best announcer the game has ever seen and it will always be time for Dodger baseball. I am married to the love of my life Melissa who gave me the inspiration to actually take on this crazy idea of writing about the Dodgers and without her support I would not be able to do what I love. My cousin Zach Chase and uncle John Chase for being a Dodger encyclopedia and sharing their knowledge with me. I will bring my perspective and love for the team to readers and I will most likely have spelling errors from time to time but I promise ill do my best on it. I want to bring you a unique perspective on your favorite team and also throw some humor along the way. I love to talk about baseball with anybody who will listen and I look forward to the Dodgers going back-to-back in their quest for another World Series Championship. Dodger Blue through and through.
Follow Me:
Well said.
Well written!
Well said.
Well written!
Team hasn’t hit anything of a stride and still a great record.
There are still concerns Bluto.
Yes, if they never hit their collective stride, that would be a concern.