Fireworks, barbeques, hamburgers and Dodger baseball for the win. There’s nothing more patriotic than a Dodger win on Independence Day. So the Dodgers obliged America by defeating the Dbacks 4-3 to take a commanding 3.5 game lead in the NL West. The Dodgers barely hung on after taking a 4-0 lead into the ninth inning as the bullpen almost blew and wasted Kershaw’s beautiful outing. The Snakes scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning but thankfully it was not enough as the Dodgers held on for the win.
Dbacks 3 6 0
Dodgers 4 9 0
WP-Kershaw-13-2
LP-Corbin-6-8
SV-Jansen-19
HR-Turner-8-Descalso-6
Before the bullpen entered the game in the eighth inning Clayton Kershaw was the story. He had dominated the dbacks by tossing seven shutout innings and striking out 11 to help make our fourth of July a memorable one. It almost was one for the record books as Kershaw held the Snakes without a hit into the seventh inning before allowing an infield single to Chris Owings. Kershaw improved his record to 13-2 on the season, lowered his ERA to 2.19 and is leading the National League in wins.
The Dodgers knocked opposing starter Patrick Corbin out of the game by the fifth inning as the southpaw lasted just 4.2 innings after allowing three earned runs on seven hits and striking out eight. Corbin walked two and left with a 3-0 deficit.
The Dodgers scored one in the first inning when Logan Forsythe doubled down the right field line and future all-star Justin Turner’s single off the top of the wall scored him to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. The Dodgers added two more in the bottom of the third when Turner hit his eighth home run of the season to lead off the frame which further cements his all-star vote. By the way, please vote for the guy when you get a chance.
Later in the inning Chris Taylor doubled and then scored when Yasmani Grandal poked a single through the right side of the infield. The Dodgers went up by a 3-0 score. Grandal would add another RBI single in the bottom of the eighth off the Arizona bullpen. Taylor singled and moved to second on a Kike Hernandez grounder. He then stole third and scored on Grandal’s second RBI single to put the Dodgers up 4-0. That fourth run would prove vital as the dbacks mounted a late rally in the last frame.
The Dodgers didn’t need to score many runs because Kershaw was so utterly dominant. Until the seventh inning he had allowed just two base runners on two walks before giving up the little infield dribbler to Owings. His pitch count was high so it seemed unlikely he would do it, but what an incredible performance. Kershaw struck out Brandon Drury three times and Paul Goldschmidt twice and made 117 pitches.
Here’s how Kershaw lost his no-hit bid with one out in the seventh inning. What a cheap way to break up a no-hitter.
The Dodger bullpen took things the rest of the way but had some trouble retiring those pesky Arizona hitters. Luis Avilan began the top of the eighth by retiring the first two snakes. He got Gregor Blanco to ground out and struck out Ray Fuentes. Pedro Baez was called in but gave up a ground-rule double to newly activated A.J. Pollack. Baez then balked Pollack to third, on what was a questionable call. Then David Peralta lined out right back to the box for the third out as Baez snared the liner with some great cat like reflexes.
There was one more scare in the top of the ninth inning. The normally reliable Brandon Morrow gave up a double to Goldschmidt. He got Owings to ground out but Drury’s flare single to left put runners at first and third with one out. The Dodgers called for Kenley Jansen who quickly restored order. Kenley got Chris Iannetta to pop out for the second out. However he served up a three-run shot to Descalso much to our annoyance (his second homer of the season) and the lead was suddenly 4-3. Kenley then walked Jake Lamb (his second walk of the season) and the Dodgers still weren’t out of the woods. Kenley would recover to whiff Chris Herrmann for the final out and the Dodgers win it!
The series continues tomorrow evening as Zack Godley does battle with Alex Wood at 7:10 PM. Before the night is over please go and vote for Turner in the Esurance Final Vote. Vote now, vote often, vote twice. Just get that red headed man to the all-star game please.
Happy fourth everyone!
Make America Blue Again!!
(wait …)
How about Make America True Blue again!
Thank you.
I”m glad Kenley gave up that 3 run jack last night. He finally tasted some failure, and yet we still won.
Can’t expect him to be perfect all year, so get it out of your system before October!
This is truly amazing, to play this well after a horrible April. Apart from the 42-8 2013 Dodgers, I don’t think any Dodger team this century has played this well, this long. Not under Torre, Little, or Tracy.
Maybe the 1991 Bret Butler, Daryl Strawberry, Eddie Murray Dodgers were the last Dodger juggernaut team?
Again amazing! But yes, still a ways to go. Any stubborn trade rumors?
Artieboy
I think you hit it on the head about Roberts making a big difference, with this team.
When Mattingly was the manager, it seemed like he sucked the energy out of the team, with some of his moves, and some of his line ups, especially in the post season.
It never felt like we would come back, after the seventh inning, when he was the manager.
Roberts has made a big difference with this team, and he is the best move that this front office, and the owners have made.
Roberts is like a modern Lasorda with the way he relates with his players, and people in general.
Kershaw’s last three starts have all been really good, and it is good to see him get back on track!
And Turner never seems to disappoint, so I hope he makes this Allstar team.
It may be his only chance to do that!
Vote for JT.
And Grandal also had a good game last night too.
Everybody also tends to forget that Mattingly had better teams than Roberts.
Our minor league coaching and player development are to be commended as well. Several players have demonstrated improvement after going through AAA.
Don’t leave out Taylor in your praise.
Ed-Dinger has started to return to earth, hope it isn’t a crash landing, especially after he screws up his swing in the HR contest.
Did I mention I hate all those silly exhibition events, including the All-Star game itself. If you want a real AS game, then it should be picked by the players not the fans, the voting is a total farce (no Russians involved even, speaking of a total farce).
True Blue
Turner and Grandal, hit in most or all of the runs, so that is why I highlighted those two players, along with Kershaw!
No need to explain, we are all big boys (and girls) in here. Make a point, others make a point, we smile and move on to the next point.
Verlander is a good fit and not just a rental. The Tigers reportedly are interested in Verdugo.
I wonder if he can be had for:
Verdugo
Calhoun
Kazmir (replacing Verlanders spot in rotation)
Yadier Alvarez
Hatcher
Only if they throw in Justin Wilson. No Wilson, we pull Verdugo back.
Why? I mean really, what does this accomplish? You’ve just depleted your top prospects for someone who doesn’t give you more than you already have. You’re buying a reputation that hasn’t been earned in years. He’s 34.
YF
Dodger and Cubs scouts were watching the Tigers play.
I think there is a reliever we are interested in..
Verlander hasn’t been that good this year, but many people thought he should have won the Cy Young last year, instead of Porcello.
Yes we should get another player for that package or a pick. I think players like Verdugo and Calhoun are blocked and I think Alvarez’s star will fade. A good sign of that for me is when Cervenka starts tracking a player and then loses interest. Calhoun and Hatcher probably deterred another chance elsewhere.
Sometimes people project all out for prospects but not for vets. I think Verlander will do well at Dodgers stadium and in the postseason but that’s just me. I’ve always thought Sale was far superior to Urias but what do I know.
They are scouting a lefty reliever..Justin Wilson
Thanks I couldn’t remember his name.
YF
Verlander has an era of 3 last year, and his whip was one.
Those are pretty good stats, especially the whip.
I saw the thing about our scouts, on MLB Central this morning.
Nice win. Turner should be at all star game period.
turner having to be voted in on such a marginal basis tells you this really isn’t based on All Star performances, it’s a popularity contest. All Star game should be voted on by the peers, the fans are a bunch of sheep casting votes based on tweeter accounts and snapchat. Excuse me while I go and puke. Did Jay Z make the all star squad yet?