Tonight’s game was supposed to be the big showdown between the National League’s two big guns, Clayton Kershaw and Stephen Strasburg. It was a match up so anticipated, that Vin Scully braved a sore throat to come in to work. Like many of us, Scully was anticipating a great game.
However, none of that was to be, as Strasburg was scratched before game time with a sore back. On the bright side, we still had a Clayton Kershaw performance ahead of us.
1st inning
Dodgers
Justin Turner homered with two out to give the Dodgers the first lead of the game.
3rd inning Dodgers 1-0
Through the first three innings Kershaw sat the first nine batters he faced.
4th inning
Dodgers
Corey Seager hit a ground rule double into Mannywood. He was brought in by an RBI single from Justin Turner. 2-0
5th inning Dodgers 2-0
Dodgers
Joc Peterson blasted a heatwave BOOM! It looked to me like it cleared the right field bullpen. 3-0
6th inning Dodgers 3-0
Nats
Kershaw kept them scoreless, with eight strikeouts and no walks. Bryce Harper: 0 for 3, with 3 Ks.
Dodgers
Corey Seager hit a gapper to left-center field, for his second double of the night.
7th inning Dodgers 3-0
Nats
Three singles scored a run, making it 3-1
Dodgers
With two out and a full count, Chase Utley singled up the middle to bring in a run. 4-1
8th inning Dodgers 4-1
Nats
Joe Blanton in to pitch.
Job done.
9th inning Dodgers 4-1
Kenley Jansen trying again, to pass Eric Gagnê for the most saves by a Dodger (161)
Ryan Zimmerman: K
Wilson Ramos: K
Anthony Rendon: 5-3 on 13 pitches.
Dodgers win! 4-1
Although we didn’t get the big showdown that we were hoping for, we did get an eight strikeout performance from Clayton Kershaw.
In addition, we were treated to Kenley Jansen breaking Eric Gagnê’s record, to become the all-time saves leader for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers offense remained just as hot as the city’s temperature. Justin Turner homered once again and had an RBI single. Joc Pederson also hit a mammoth home run in the fifth.
The Dodgers’ bullpen added to their NL’s best ERA numbers in keeping the Nationals scoreless.
Clayton Kershaw went 7 innings with 6 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 8 Ks.
Home runs: Turner, Pederson
Doubles: Seager, Kendrick
Team with RISP: 2 for 6
Oscar Martinez
I was born in the shadow of Dodger Stadium and immediately drenched in Dodger Blue. Chavez Ravine is my baseball cathedral, Vin Scully was the golden voice of summer all my life, and Tommy Lasorda remains the greatest Dodgers manager ever. My favorite things are coffee, beer, and the Dodgers beating the Giants. I also blog about my baseball card hobby at All Trade Bait, All the Time.
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So, should the Dodgers just play JOC everyday in CF? He has 26 AB’s against LH pitching and is hitting .154 with .541 OPS vs. .842 against RH pitching. When you are hitting almost 100 points lower against LH pitching, it seems to me that you are a platoon player.
However, his splits were about the same last year. Maybe he just needs to stay in CF every game?
I am fine with Thompson in RF every game and would like to see Kendrick and Ethier platoon in LF when Andre comes back.
As long as Chase Utley’s OB% is around .350, I am fine with him at 2B, but I think he will need more rest the second half.
Ron Cervanka thinks Kike could be sent back to AAA in favor of Chris Taylor – I can see that happening if Kike doesn’t kick it up… like soon!
Micah Johnson is not progressing the way the Dodgers would like. They have been working on changing his swing and the results are not good… so far.
Statistically speaking, and using the “eye test” JP Howell is the odd-man-out if the Dodgers add Ryu, McCarthy or Montas. Liberatore has been too good. Will FAZ have to munch on JP’s $6 million contract and he’s immensely popular in the clubhouse.
What to do with Puig?
The Dodgers certainly have to decide what to do with Puig. He’s not a bench player. Either they have to make the commitment to him or trade him. I wouldn’t put him in the same category as Kike. Kike seems like a goner. Puig needs to play and be mentored. I would play him in RF and platoon Thompson/Ethier in LF. Since this team is about HR’s, let Pederson learn how to bat against lefties. Since this team is a work in progress, I’m assuming there will be further changes either by trades or draft or minor league promotions.
Same thing with the pitching. Howell being a goner is alright by me. No one knows how it will go with the rehabbed starters. Hard to imagine it will be worse than it is now. Bolsinger is gone. Stripling is gone. Urias is up and coming. It has to get better. Bullpen is settling down. Kazmir is the wild card, IMO. He either stabilizes or we’re in trouble again. Barring injury to Maeda, I think he will get through his adjustments to the American game. The Japanese have a special work ethic. I just hope his body holds up. If Kazmir and Maeda collapse, we’re headed down, way down.
Jeff
There is no way that I would give more at bats, to Joc over Trayce.
Trayce’s splits aganist righties, and lefties, is very even, and Trayce, has much better, at bats, then Joc does.
Mark
Some think that Montas will be pitching in Bolsinger’s slot in the rotation, when his slot comes up this week.
Because Ryu and McCarthy, are pitching in AAA, on Wed. and Thur.
And Montas comes off the DL, on that very day.
A good win against a good team.
But it wasn’t against the 10-0 Strasburg. It was against a bullpen guy. If we had to that we’d get kildt.
Split the next two and take the series.
Should the Dodgers play Joc everyday? Asked and answered. Yes. This is the year to do it.
Kiké needs to play. Stop f’n with him. Trade him to a team that needs a dirt baller
Badger
I think Turner would hit almost any pitcher right now, because the ball looks so big to him.