What could be better than an Arizona meltdown in the bottom of the ninth? A Giants meltdown certainly. Maybe a Cubs meltdown is just as good? Or perhaps an Angel’s meltdown as well? I know a Rockies or Padres meltdown is pretty cool too. Whatever the case the Dodgers incredibly drew five consecutive walks with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to stun and beat the Dbacks 5-4 at Dodger Stadium in the opening game of the home stand on Tuesday night.
The game didn’t start out well for the Dodgers. Starting pitcher Ross Stripling gave up three runs in the first two frames. The Snakes scored once in the first on an RBI double from Eduardo Escobar and then plated two in the following frame on a two-run home run from Nick Ahmed after a walk to Jake Lamb. Strip would settle down but it wasn’t much of an effective outing for him. Strip gave up four earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts over 4.2 innings. It was actually the Dodger bullpen that stepped up tossing 4.1 innings of scoreless ball.
The Dodger bats didn’t get going until later in the game. Opposing starter Taylor Clarke lasted just 3.2 innings allowing three earned runs on five hits and walking three. One of those runs scored in the second inning and the other two plated in the fourth. Stripling’s bouncer up the middle scored Barnes in the bottom half of the second.
Dbacks 4 8 0
Dodgers 5 7 1
WP-Garcia-1-2
LP-Holland-1-1
HR-Hernandez-14-Ahmed-8
Then a two-run home run from Enrique Hernandez tied the score at 3-3 in the fourth. From there it remained tied until the Dbacks pushed across a run in the top of the fifth. Consecutive singles from Ketel Marte, David Peralta, and an Adam Jones force out scored the fourth run for the Arizona squad to put them ahead 4-3.
All seemed lost when the Dodgers stranded a runner in scoring position in the seventh and eighth innings and then went into the bottom of the ninth trailing 4-3. After Arizona closer Greg Holland recorded the first two outs in the ninth frame, it looked like the game was over. Then it wasn’t.
The Dodgers did something they do very well, not swing the bats. Don’t get it twisted, the Dodgers are a great hitting club, but their impeccable plate discipline reared its head in the ninth inning as Holland lost his command. The Dodgers drew five consecutive walks to win the game. Chris Taylor, the first of the five walks was in a 1-2 hole before he battled back and trotted down to first. Then Russell Martin walked. Alex Verdugo’s walk loaded the bases and Matt Beaty’s free pass plated the tying run. Arizona was forced to remove Holland and bring in left hander T.J. McFarland to face Cody Bellinger with the bases juiced and the Dodgers on the verge of another walk-off. Bellinger nearly hit by a pitch when the count was 2-2, eventually worked a walk as well to win the game. Simply stunning. The Dodgers go for the sweep of the short series on Wednesday night before beginning their final series before the all-star break.
Dodgers again escape by the skin of their teeth, as erratic starting pitching, 2-8 RISP, 9 LOB, and over-shifting defense could not get it done. It literally took a 5 straight walk, walk-off to win the game. The Dodger clubhouse boys were probably instructed to take a fruit basket to the visitor’s clubhouse.
They were…..
Consistent
In their final inning batting approach?
Is winning by Base On Balls…..
Embarrassing?
Totally weird game. Muncy has improved his defense some, but his wide throw on a easy double play try allowed the go ahead run to score. Not getting Taylor home with just one out was huge. Garlick swung at a pitch he never could have hit solidly. He will no doubt be back in AAA shortly since Freese is due to come off of the IL this week. Rios made an error on a ball he should have just not thrown to first. Joc actually looked more comfortable at first this time, and did make a nice play on a high throw. Kelly, Baez, Floro and Garcia held the D-Backs in check until the walk fest could win the game. Dodgers signed a bunch of International kids today. 2 of them are just 16 years old. Both are outfielders. One of the pitchers they signed is from Spain. That’s highly unusual.
Glad the Angels got the win last night. They needed something positive after what happened the other day. They are wearing a 45 patch over their hearts. Similar to the 36 patch the Dodgers are wearing on their sleeve. Hope everyone has a great 4th of July. Be safe with fireworks if you are using them…….
Dodgers just acquired RHP Casey Sadler from the Rays for a minor leaguer. Sadler has a 1.89 ERA and a 54& ground ball rate. Rays loaded with relievers and this was a guy I thought they could get. Hill transferred to 60 day IL.
Why the fuck not take the chance
He has been sent to OKC. Freese, Seager and Pollock all ran some today. Pollock is going on a re-hab assignment on Friday, Seager is not. Freese will be activated either Friday or Saturday.
As you all know, I’m really not ready for Pollock getting back to work, I just don’t see where he fits, except as a role player, the guys that replaced him have gelled and moved on. He’s had a poor beginning in LA, hadn’t really proven anything yet to his new teammates, then once he goes down hurt, his replacements start to soar and produce, earning their spot on the team. Now Pollock comes back, wham does he deserve to get a spot away from someone(s) that has earned the spot? If he does have the spot handed to him, what sort of disharmony or problems does it cause in what has been a very winning team (in spite of GasKanley and his band terrorists best efforts).
Hill being out is a big problem, if he heals well, he will come back very fresh for the playoffs, however that is a big “if”.
Freese and Seager hurry back. Pollock please take your time and rehab long ayd hard and don’t come back half health.
Another walk-off. Win. Makes for exciting baseball, BUT….
After another dismal offensive performance (3-7 RISP, 7 LOB, 9 K’s), and another Jansen meltdown, All-Star & MVP Bellinger took the game in his own hands, with two Belli Bombs, including the walk off dinger, closing out the he sweep of the Snakes.
Sure, a nice win, and sweep of the Venousness-less Snakes, but really raises concerns for the post season. This stagnant offense, weak middle relief, and lack of a legitimate lights out closer will be this team’s demise. Sure, they got three legit All-Star starters, but with the lack of offensive support and them having to hand off the game to this miserable bullpen, and closer with the game on the line, will be its’ Achilles Heel in October.
Other than the two Belli Bombs, the highlight of the evening was the defensive shuffle in the top of the Tenth… seven position changes. I have never seen this before…. “Only with the Dodgers”. Oh, I may have seen it in a tee-ball game.
First off, Blue, I think you meant venom less. They have no poison left, and although you might not like it, Pollock has a guaranteed 55 million dollar contract and it is pretty much unwritten policy that players who lose a spot to injury get it back when healthy. Especially a player with a long term high dollar deal. Now, that is one of the reasons Pederson has been playing first. It is so that they can keep Verdugo’s bat in the everyday lineup as the left fielder. Muncy would become the everyday 2nd baseman. Pollock is injury prone, but this was caused by the surgery he had on his elbow. He got an infection and they had to take the metal out of his elbow. By all reports it is much better now. He is a proven MLB player and he brings a lot to the table. Garlick, Rios and Beaty have done a good job, but they were not up here long term and they know it. Freese is not an everyday guy any more, but he improves the bench. Seager is the SS, period. Those 3 guys coming back make the bench stronger. The only soft spot in the lineup will be the catcher. So unless they decide it is Smith time, those 2 are what you are stuck with. As far as the pitching staff goes, you are only going to use 4 starters in the playoffs. If Hill is ready in the fall, they are pretty set there. If not, they still have 4 really good guys. Stripling is no more than a 5th guy and he performs like one. His main job between now and Hill’s supposed return is to give them innings. Ross can do that. Urias is also there. So they need to fix the issues in the pen and they are pretty set. As for the stagnant offense, just look at who is starting where. Turner out, Seager out, Pollock out. Kike has looked better the last couple of games and got a huge hit last night, but he has proved he is not up to being a starter. Taylor has been hot. But he is just holding the fort for Seager. The thing is that they have competent guys who can give the Turners, and Seager’s a day off when needed. Turner is really banged up right now. So the break is going to be really good for him. I think Joc should have passed up the Home run derby. Last time he was involved in it, his swing was screed up the rest of the year. Congratulations to Bellinger, who broke a record that had stood since 1955. His 29 homers before the break passed Duke Snider and Gil Hodges who were tied at 28. No Dodger has ever hit 30 before the break. Belli has a great chance to do that. His 2 homers last night combined traveled over 850 feet. Neither was a cheapy. If the Dodger pitchers ever figure out how to keep the ball from going over the fence so many times, they will be damn near invincible. Note to Jansen, pitch the ball down in the zone, not belt high.
LOL, sometimes the computer overrides me in spellcheck. I don’t know how that word popped up?♂️?
Can’t wait for Hill & Seager to return. Pollock, I’m mixed on, but I understand the politics. I hope he comes back strong. He could be a tremendous asset starting or on the bench as a reserve.
Jansen, I agree is serving up “go-fers” right over the middle of the plate. Maybe he can pitch to Pederson in the HR Derby… he qualifies as he is a “right-hander” with a “Meaty Menu” of hanging sliders,curves, cutters. They will even make him an All-Star Jersey so he will not feel slighted.
JT needs some recovery time, so the break will do him well. I hope Belli, Buehler, and Ryu can stay heathy… it is a long season.
Time to spank the Madres, and Machado.
Same to you Micheal…. hope you and all in LADodgerReport.com have a great 4th of July.
I absolutely hate spell check. Especially when I am on my phone…..will not allow me to use curse words when I text!
I hope everyone has an absolutely great 4th of July! God Bless the USA and those out there on the front lines who put their lives on the line for us every day. Much respect.
First team to 60.
They’re winning games at a .674 clip, .804 at home.
Belli and Ryu shine and show they are worthy of their Stars. Muncy shows he is worthy of consideration for a replacement spot. JT Chargois and Floro show promise in the pen…. well it is just the Padres, so I should not get too excited.
Go Blue!