The Dodgers won a nail biter last night. Well for most of the game today, the game was complete anxiety fiesta. Clayton Kershaw went against Pudge Rodriguez’s son Dereck Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a rookie and not known to give up home-runs. Well Joc Pederson led off the game with a home-run and the Dodgers took an early 1-0 lead. In the top of the 2nd, Yasiel Puig then joined the home-run parade and hit a solo shot that screamed out of the stadium and the Dodgers led 2-0. With Clayton Kershaw on the mound, it felt as if the game was safe. Far from it.
Oh, Yasiel. 😏 #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/JXMN5Oq1u4
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 29, 2018
In the bottom of the third, the Giants got into the act. Nick Hundley singled. Brandon Crawford then grounded into a fielders choice. Aramis Garcia then grounded out advancing Crawford to 2nd. Gorkys Hernandez then singled in a run and the score was 2-1. In the bottom of the third the Giants struck again. Gregor Blanco singled followed by a Hunter Pence double to tie the score. Joe Panik then singled and the Giants led 3-2.
In the top of the 4rth, Yasiel Puig walked. Yasmani Grandal then hit a sharp single. Kike Hernandez then singled in a run and the Dodgers tied 3-3. Kike Hernandez needs to be a starter at this point. Rodriguez was knocked out. Ty Blach who is called Cy Blach came in to pitch. Clayton Kershaw then singled in two runs and the Dodgers led 5-3.
Kersh knows what’s on the line. #SeptemberBaseball pic.twitter.com/Pq2UAokG8R
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2018
In the bottom of the 5th, the Giants struck back. Hunter Pence doubled in a run. Hunter Pence advanced to third on the wild pitch. Joe Panik then hit a fly ball to tie the score 5-5. The game after that became a dog fight in the middle innings. The Dodgers let so many opportunities go by the wayside to put this game away. In the top of the 8th, Chris Taylor led off with a single. Two straight pop-outs after that. It felt like the Dodgers were going to blow it. Manny Machado then hit a triple to score Taylor and the Dodgers led 6-5.
Manny is trying to send the @Dodgers to the dance. #SeptemberBaseball pic.twitter.com/m7c2MjGSEb
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2018
The Dodgers broke it open in the ninth. With two outs Kike Hernandez singled. Matt Kemp then singled. Chris Taylor singled and scored a run. Max Muncy hit a blooper that scored two runs and the Dodgers led 9-5. Cody Bellinger then hit an infield single to score a run. The Dodgers led 10-5 and the Dodgers fans were celebrating in San Fran. The Giants scored a run in the bottom of the ninth to make it 10-6. The Dodgers will now wait to see what the Rockies do. Either way the Dodgers are in the playoffs.
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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TUgly game, but they managed to get the win. Scored 10, but a weak start by Kershaw and blown scoring opportunities (6-16 RISP, 25 LOB), made it a struggle, if not for the late inning gift runs from the Gnats.
Playoffs just about set, for Dodgers. I would have liked them to take division, and face ATL in first round NLDS. But, because they gave away so many easy games, the only way they can get division title and play ATL is to play COL and win on Monday in a tie-breaker.
If they lose against COL on Monday, then they would have to play CHC and/or MIL (Central Title still up for grabs) in Wild Card and NLDS. Two extra games would tax the pitching staff, and put Hill in a must win situation… one thing I would like to avoid.
So, best thing to do is just win one game at a time, and take care of business, and let the chips fall where they may. Not having to play COL on Monday will save Buehler (and the pen) for Wild Card game vs. MIL or CHC.
Biggest questions. Does Kershaw have what it takes to lead this team to WS title? Will Dodger offense stop wasting scoring opportunities? If Kershaw fails again in October, can Buehler and Ryu carry the load? Does Jansen have what it takes to shut the door? Will “The Smirk” prove his worth, or bomb (ala Darvish, last year?
What a crazy season. Congrats Dodgers, for making the playoffs again. Let’s go all the way this time.
Actually they win tomorrow and the Rockies lose, the Dodgers win the division. Rockies got blown out tonight in Colorado by the Nats 12-2 and Scherzer is pitching tomorrow. So they can win the division out right with a little help from DC and a win tomorrow. They win on a day when Kershaw was human. How big was that single he hit though. Bullpen did a decent job. How big was Kemp’s 2 out single that kept the inning going? The # 9 slot in the order had a perfect day, and Machado finally drove in a run that was huge. It came in his 62nd game as a Dodger. I am surprised it did not come sooner. But that triple was huge. Especially on a day when the Dodgers best clutch hitter, Turner went 0-5. Justin does not do that very often. Win tomorrow. All the games start at the same time, even in different time zones. Put the pressure back on the Rockies and make them have to go to Chicago or Milwaukee to stay alive, or force a 1 game playoff at Dodger Stadium on Monday for the division title.
I hope not but I get the feeling that this site is about to turn out the lights.
Still brimming with optimism I see.