Dodgers Cash In Gift, Send Cardinals To Brink Of Offseason Holliday

by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 6:49 PM PDT in Game Recaps Comment 74 comments

More photos » Mark J. Terrill - AP

NLDS: Cardinals vs. Dodgers
Dodgers Lead Series 2-0
Game 1	Dodgers 5, Cardinals 3
Game 2	Dodgers 3, Cardinals 2
Game 3	Sat	Busch Stadium	3:07pm
Game 4*	Sun	Busch Stadium	12:37pm
Game 5*	Oct 13	Dodger Stadium	6:37pm / 5:07pm
*if necessary		All times Pacific
All games televised on TBS

I've heard of a sucker punch game, but this was a junk punch game for the Cardinals. The Cardinals held a 2-1 lead with two outs in the ninth inning, and James Loney lofted a soft line drive to Matt Holliday in left field. As Holliday came in to make the game-ending catch, he stumbled and missed the easy catch, and the ball appeared to hit him in the groin area, allowing Loney to reach second base on the error. The Dodgers were given new life.

Juan Pierre was brought in to pinch run, and Casey Blake walked, bringing up Ronnie Belliard, the surprise starter at second base for each of the first two games of this series. Belliard delivered, with a game-tying single to center, plating Pierre. A Russell Martin walk loaded the bases for the pitcher's spot. Mark Loretta, who struggled all year, came through with the biggest hit of his career, a soft single to centerfield to send Dodger fans everywhere into a state of euphoria with a 3-2 win and a 2-0 series lead.

The ending outshone a wonderful pitching duel between Adam Wainwright and Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw was good, allowing just two runs in his 6.2 innings, but Wainwright was better, allowing only one run in his eight innings. The Dodger comeback win also overshadows a mistake by Torre in a tie game in the sixth inning, when he should have pinch hit for Kershaw, who had thrown 97 pitches to that point. That's all water under the bridge right now, thanks to the improbable comeback.

Wainwright was not happy with the white towels given out to fans at Dodger Stadium, believing they contributed to Holliday's misplay, telling MLB Network:

It doesn't really seem fair that the opposing team should be allowed to shake white towels when there's a white baseball flying through the air. Dodger blue towels, how about that?

I have good news for you, Adam. You won't have to worry about the Cardinals playing another game at Dodger Stadium this season. I do agree, though, that the towels should be blue.

Lucky or not, so far Torre's roster decisions are coming up golden so far this October:

Jeff Weaver: got out of a bases loaded jam yesterday. Check.
Ronnie Belliard: game-tying base hit today. Check.
Mark Loretta: game-winning hit today. Check.

Here's a link to Vin Scully's call of the game-winning hit on KABC.

By the way, that makes 13 walk-off hits this season for the Dodgers.

Friday is a time to rest, and bask in the commanding 2-0 series lead. Vicente Padilla will face Joel Pineiro Saturday at 3:07pm.

The game times have been determined for the rest of the series. Game four, if necessary, will be played Sunday at 12:37pm Pacific time. If both NL division series go to a fifth game, Tuesday will be played at 6:37pm at Dodger Stadium. If the other NL series is over, game five will be at 5:07pm.

WP - George Sherrill (1-0): 1 IP, 1 hit

LP - Ryan Franklin (0-1): 0.1 IP, 2 hits, 2 unearned runs, 2 walks

Box Score

0 recs | Comment 74 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

KERSHAW IS INJURED

WTF HAPPPENED??

is it serious….???/

we neeed this man

by matthewmafa on Oct 8, 2009 6:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Joe said it isn’t serious, just tweeted it coming out of the batters box. Don’t worry, BE HAPPY!!!

by KSeal on Oct 8, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

tweeted what?

by sarcastro9 on Oct 8, 2009 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

Tweaked is what I meant.

by KSeal on Oct 8, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

...and what is "tweeted"? :)

by sarcastro9 on Oct 8, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

tweaked right shoulder

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 8, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

twitter invades the human body! :D

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Oct 8, 2009 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

House money on Saturday with Padilla

If anyone whines about Belliard or Loretta for the rest of this week they will be banned to McCovey Cove

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 8, 2009 6:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

letting clayton hit for himself then give up the go ahead-no check...: )

William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.

by Ollie on Oct 8, 2009 6:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

mark loretta 0-15 against loretta before that AB now

1 for 16

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 8, 2009 6:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

0 - 15 against himself?

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 8, 2009 6:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

whoops

that was ryan frankin i meant
im having a ton of issues typing comments right now :)

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 8, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd say to calm down

but now is not the time be calm

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 8, 2009 6:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ya im trying to constantly remind myself that we are not out of the woods in this series at all yet

but man i feel golden

William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.

by Ollie on Oct 8, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

of course not

we need to take care of business in St louis
but u gotta savor this one

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 8, 2009 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jim Thome

I’m looking at you.

by sumo390 on Oct 8, 2009 6:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

McCovey and the Rocks blog

all rooting for us to lose .. . . wheres the NL West camaraderie. . ..anyways LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOO

by SeanMillerSavior on Oct 8, 2009 6:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fuck the rest.

Root for the Dodgers and no one else.

by sumo390 on Oct 8, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

hahaha

suck it MCC
i dont mind the Rox’s blog as much
cause some r hoping for rockies vs dodgers NLCS

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 8, 2009 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

mmmm, i wanted rockies to win, i guess i'll change my mind

screw the giants, who care about them

by XXDC2XX on Oct 8, 2009 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs

+100000000000000

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 8, 2009 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+100000000000000

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 8, 2009 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

2X +10000000000000

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 8, 2009 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want them to win because

if the DOdgers advance, i’m quite sure we can handle them.

by kensai on Oct 8, 2009 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

if the rox arent with us then theyre low life scum

I can understand the giants not rooting for us though…as a UCLA fan i wont root for sc, but ill take everyone else in the pac 10 when they are playing out of conference…rox should be with us

William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.

by Ollie on Oct 8, 2009 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

yeah i agree

o well. . . still gonna root for them tho. . .everyone hates on the NL West, but this year its turned out to be one of the best

by SeanMillerSavior on Oct 8, 2009 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That may have been the most exciting ending at Dodger Stadium

for a playoff game in memory.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 8, 2009 6:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I have to assume that your memory

does not extend to 1988

by insomniacslounge on Oct 8, 2009 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

MARK LORETTA IS NOT OUR GUY

HAHAHAHAAHAHA

by kensai on Oct 8, 2009 6:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Congrats on the ESPN gig by the way.

by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks man

Loretta and Weaver just shit all over my suggestions though

good start! :o

by kensai on Oct 8, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BELLIARD RULES

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 8, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

if he didn't get that hit and struck out

on 3 pitches again, i would have strangled him myself

but i love him now

by kensai on Oct 8, 2009 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

for now, at least :o

by kensai on Oct 8, 2009 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Broadcast schedule announced

for two games that won’t happen:

Sunday at 12:37pm
Tuesday at 6:37pm if Rox/Phils in game 5, otherwise 5:07pm

by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 7:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

I was just hoping for a split against Carp and Wainwright. That was a great start. I wish Bills was going Saturday because I would love for him to get the clinching win. :)

by craigbro on Oct 8, 2009 7:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I feel light headed

Loretta got a game winning hit, my god

by kensai on Oct 8, 2009 7:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Need to check out El Birdos

My brother is a contributor over there (long story). They are not happy!

by craigbro on Oct 8, 2009 7:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

pretty pissed

posting pictures of sad bunnys and cats

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 8, 2009 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

about a mile long thread full of cursewords...

mods had to intervene on the post-game one.

by MaxDSterling on Oct 8, 2009 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I KNEW we were gonna win when Holliday blew that catch. I did!

by Seanny Rotten on Oct 8, 2009 7:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

it was fate!

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 8, 2009 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

very exciting game

See you all for game three on Saturday!

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Oct 8, 2009 7:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

aight Peace!

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 8, 2009 7:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come back this weekend

you seem to be better luck for us then you were for your Tigers

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Oct 8, 2009 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still can’t believe we won this game. Crazy

by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 7:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Amen, brother

by KellyStephen on Oct 8, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One of the best moments of my life! Cheering and celebrating with my 7-year old son. It does not get much better than that!

by craigbro on Oct 8, 2009 7:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How about the cutoff by Loney on Rasmus’ double? Saved us a run. I was at the game in St. Louis when he cut a ball that was a sure out at the plate.

by craigbro on Oct 8, 2009 7:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Safe to say that:

The cardinals just got Stairs’d

by K3vo on Oct 8, 2009 7:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I added an update above about Wainwright whining about the towels.

by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 7:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

In NLCS

Just for that we should all wear white on when batting and pull on blue sweatshirts when pitching.

by Ryan82 on Oct 8, 2009 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What a ridiculous thing for him to say. Gimme a break WW.

You wanna know how great baseball is? The greatest basketball player ever left his sport to play baseball.

by Jesse S. on Oct 9, 2009 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What an awesome month so far one win away, and a new son. Thank you everyone for sharing this with me. Sort to speak.

by Skunkburner on Oct 8, 2009 7:22 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

+1

I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours

by BoulderDodger on Oct 8, 2009 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hi, I hope you don't mind a visit from a depressed Tigers fan

I’m a frequent resident of Bless You Boys, and I want you that since my boys didn’t make it, I’m rooting for your guys in the postseason. Great win today. Congrats!

Tigers Amateur Analysis

by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 8, 2009 7:22 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs

Thanks…we welcome all

by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks and welcome to TrueBlue!

by craigbro on Oct 8, 2009 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the welcome

I’d often watch part of Dodgers games on MLB.tv before going to bed (I live just outside Toledo, Ohio). You guys seemed to turn walk-offs into an art form.

Tigers Amateur Analysis

by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 8, 2009 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hows it going man

Verlander is such a stud.

by desecrator09 on Oct 8, 2009 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That he is

I LOVE watching JV work. My favorite Tiger.

Tigers Amateur Analysis

by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 8, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wainwright was OWNING us tonight

and he got a NO DECISION! LMAO!

by desecrator09 on Oct 8, 2009 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i like him for what he gave me this season on fantasy

by XXDC2XX on Oct 8, 2009 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had Verlander, Sabathia, Oswalt, Porcello, Broxton, and Teixiera and I STILL finished second-to-last

I’m not real good at fantasy baseball, though (however, my friends in my league were just as negligent of their lineups as I was, so that’s not really an excuse).

Tigers Amateur Analysis

by SabreRoseTiger on Oct 8, 2009 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK you dragged me over from BYB

Go Dodgers! If the Tigers had to get knocked out, I’ll root for Big Blue

by ChrisDTX on Oct 8, 2009 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

boy,all tiger fans coming and rooting for us

are making me feel guilty have root for the twins in the twins vs tigers game. welcome any way

by XXDC2XX on Oct 8, 2009 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m out for the rest of the night, peeps.

Great game today. Enjoy it, savor it. Love it.

Later

by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 7:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Enjoy it
Savor it
Love it

Loretta Hit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Oct 8, 2009 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

everyone in TBLA

I’m currently drinking a tasty bottle of bluemoon. Cheers for the Dodgers and this grand victory.

I raise my glass to this victory, the dodgers, and all my brothers at TBLA.

Cheers.

by PHAT JULIO on Oct 8, 2009 7:30 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Wainster

Its called “HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE”.

Should have went for it instead of mailing it in.

by Dodger Dude on Oct 8, 2009 7:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wainwright should change his name to Whineright

After last nights game, Wainwright had this to say, "He (Holliday) lost the ball… you know— fifty thousand white towels shaking in front of his face, you know. I don’t know man, it doesn’t seem fare that uh… apposing teams should be allowed to wave white towels when there’s a white baseball flying through the air. How about Dodger blue towels?"

You can do a better job than that to defend your player.

by mtpascoe on Oct 9, 2009 12:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's funny how no one ever said anything about the Twins' Homer Hankys.

by Seanny Rotten on Oct 9, 2009 8:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Best game I ever attended

I’m so glad I was there. I’ve seen other walk off this season but this was the most amazing because of the situation and circumstances. Still feeling the excitement and joy every time I think of it.

by hthr on Oct 9, 2009 9:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs