This was a nail-biting type of game and as Turner connected on the three run shot to win the game. My mind went back to when I was a kid in 1988 remembering how Kirk Gibson rounded the bases on his walk-off 29 years ago. Rich Hill faced Dodgers nemesis Jon Lester in game 2 of the NLCS.
The Dodgers wanted to keep the home field and head to Chicago knowing possibly that the next three will be in the windy city. The game turned into a pitchers duel. In the bottom of the third the Dodgers had an opportunity to get on the board. With two outs, JT walked and then Cody Bellinger doubled and Turner went to third. Kiki Hernandez flied out to end that threat.
In the top of the 5th, Addison Russell hit a solo shot and the Cubs took a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 5th with the Dodgers getting Lester’s pitch count up. Charlie Culberson hit a lead off double. With two outs Justin Turner hit a single to tie the score.
Jon Lester was burned and taken out of the game. The rest of the game was a bullpen game. Brandon Morrow came in and shut the Cubs down in the 6th and 7th inning. The Dodgers bullpen has been shutting teams down. We know the Cubs bullpen has to be gassed with that Five game series against the Nationals.
Josh Fields and Tony Watson shut down the Cubs in the 8th inning. In the bottom of the 8th the Dodgers had a chance to take the lead. Two men were on base and then Austin Barnes hit into a double play. Kenley Jansen then came into pitch the ninth. This game was one of those games were if the Dodgers lost, then the momentum would swing to the Cubs with the next three in Chicago. The Dodgers have faced both Cub’s left handers to this point.
In the bottom of the ninth, Yasiel Puig walked. Chris Taylor then walked off John Lackey who was doing a lot of gamesmanship by acting like he didn’t know what he wanted to pitch to Taylor. Lackey had to be scared knowing that Turner was on deck. Then Turner did something magical.
Justin Turner said "one of my first baseball memories" is watching Kirk Gibson's walkoff HR at his grandmother's house 29 years ago today
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) October 16, 2017
The Dodgers are undefeated in the playoffs. Just two more wins to get to the World Series. They also needed two wins last year. I have a good feeling about this team. So its off to Chicago.
James Moya
Hi I’m James Moya. I am an avid Dodgers fan. I graduated Cal State Fullerton with a Bachelors in Communications. I used to freelance at the San Bernardino Sun. I’m excited about this opportunity to write for LA Dodger Report to gain experience. I’m a straight shooter on my opinions and I hope to get some good conversations going. My dream has always been to report on the Dodgers because Baseball is the National Past-time. I hope you enjoy the ride with me.
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So far Roberts have made a bunch of border line moves and fortunate some have paid off, while Maddon is really struggling.
I have been a big Roberts supporter but he needs to step up. Maybe he will get better in Chicago. More Ethier please. In Game 1 he had Morrow bunt and then took him out. In this game he took out Hill but went with Granderson who fouled out. Farmer has struck out twice but he’s having good at bats. The same cannot be said of Granderson. Hitting for Kenley in a 1-1 tie is really pushing his luck in my view.
But his control and usage of the bullpen has been very good, so far. Turning Zobrist around with Watson is a really underrated move, but the deeper this series goes, the more Zobrist will get to that outside sinker. But not sure who else you can use there other than Morrow or Jansen.
A lot of coaching is just guess work. A hunch, a remembrance of something that transpired in the past with a player that you liked and hope to see again. With Granderson, that hope seems hopeless. Probably Joc, too. Neither one seems to be able to advance his game. Luckily, this team is deep enough to sustain most non productive players because we’ve got production both from the top of the order and the bottom, Forsythe, Barnes, & Puig. Luckily, Culberson has stepped up and we don’t even miss Corey. Well, we may miss his HR’s as I haven’t seen that kind of production from Culberson, but I’ll take his overall workman-like abilities. Can he play 2B and LF? If so, he’s our new Hernandez.
The bullpen has been stellar. It’s been picture perfect. The Cubs are in a hole. They can’t seem to hit and their bullpen cannot shut us down. No doubt the Dodgers are the best club in NL and we’ll see them in the WS. If Yu is in form, look out Houston or N.Y. Dodgers should be the favorites now to win the WS.
You’ve got to love our Bucky Dent. Culberson is giving us quality defense, not a surprise, and quality offense, somewhat of a surprise. BTW, the play early on in the game where Puig reached up over Taylor’s head to catch that deep drive was really amazing and I don’t think most people can appreciate the skill and concentration that it required. Puig for President.
Taylor working the count to get to Turner in the 9th was outstanding. Turner outstanding as usual, both defense and offense.
The biggest thing missing from Turner’s blast was Vin Scully making the call. That hurts.
Ed Dinger doing it in all phases of the game. Ed Dinger is the man.