Kuroda on Track, Dodger Bats Attack, & Kershaw is Back
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 7:27 PM PDT
in Game Recaps
68 comments
The Dodger offense took advantage of the Nationals, bludgeoning the Nationals 14-2 in the opening game of the three-game series in Washington DC, but the biggest news was the triumphant return of Clayton Kershaw, who pitched brilliantly over the final two innings in his first appearance in 18 days.
Kershaw entered a blowout in the eighth inning, pitching his first game since separating his shoulder while "power shagging" balls in the outfield during batting practice on September 6. Kershaw struck out four batters over his two innings, allowing only a walk to Elijah Dukes in the ninth inning. He was very sharp overall, and was hitting 93-95 mph with his fastball, a very good sign for Dodger fans everywhere. Before he entered, here is what the Dodger offense accomplished tonight:
- This was the fourth time the Dodgers have scored 14 runs or more in a game this season. The last time was when they scored 17 against Milwaukee, a game Prince Fielder wasn't too pleased with.
- Casey Blake's home run in the seventh inning extended the Dodgers' season high streak to 11 straight games with a home run. It is tied for the eighth longest Dodger streak since moving to Los Angeles
- Rafael Furcal had four hits, the eighth time he has done that as a Dodger. Furcal also drove in four runs, and the Dodgers are 27-8 when he gets on base to lead off the game.
- Jason Repko, who can tell his grandchildren that he pinch hit for Manny Ramirez, had a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, driving in his first run since September 28, 2006.
- James Loney had three hits, including a double, although one of his singles was a gift from the official scorer on one of the worst defensive plays I have ever seen a first baseman make (by Adam Dunn, who simply refused to throw the ball to first with ample time to retire Loney)
- Every Dodger starter had at least one hit and one run scored, except for Andre Ethier, who still had a walk and an RBI groundout.
- Ronnie "The Hot Horse" Belliard had two hits, including a double, and a walk, bringing his Dodger batting line to .322/.365/.610. He has 15 RBI in his 15 starts as a Dodger.
Matt Kemp picked up two runs batted in to bring his season total to 97, as he attempts to become the first Dodger ever to hit .300 with 25 home runs, 30 steals, and 100 RBI
Hiroki Kuroda was sharp yet again, allowing only two unearned runs on an Adam Dunn home run in the third inning. Kuroda won his third straight start by pitching six strong innings. Since returning from getting hit in the head, Kuroda has a 2.16 ERA and a 3.09 FIP in four starts, with 21 strikeouts and five walks in 25 innings.
Kuroda and Kershaw made important strides tonight. Chad Billingsley will get his chance to do the same tomorrow, as he opposes rookie Ross Detwiler.
Magic Numbers
To win NL West: 6 (Rockies beat the Padres 11-10)
To clinch a playoff spot: 2 (Giants lost 10-8 to the Diamondbacks in Arizona)
WP - Hiroki Kuroda (8-6): 6 IP, 4 hits, 2 unearned runs, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts
LP - Livan Hernandez (8-12): 3.2 IP, 8 hits, 8 runs, 4 walks
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Nice
Dodgers also now “only” need to average 5.45 runs over the final 11 to get to 800 runs. They need 6.36 runs per to get to 810 (averaging 5 per game).
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
At this very moment…
Pythagorean winning %
2009 Dodgers: .6241 (10th best in 126-year history)
1955 Dodgers: .6239 (11th best)
The Dodgers’ current run differential is 179, the best in MLB, and the highest in club history since 1977 (187). The only other LA Dodger team with a higher run differential was 1974, at +237.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Miguel Montero 2-run single…5-4 AZ over SF
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 7:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Matt Cain getting pummeled
If the Giants lose, they trail the Dodgers by ten with twelve to play, right? And the wild card by five or six, depending on the Rockies/Padres game.
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
We could clinch a playoff spot tomorrow in theory, but it would have to come via watching the Giants on TV (they play later) if it came to that.
We would also need an Atlanta loss
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It alliterates in Spanish also.
¡El Caballo Caliente!
I like it!
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 7:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
had intramural soccer and missed the game
but glad to see we blew up tonight, what are the dates again for the nlds i know you posted them recently Eric, im jsut considering flying back?
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
by Ollie on Sep 22, 2009 7:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Wed, Oct 7
Thu, Oct 8
Sat, Oct 10
Sun, Oct 11
Tue, Oct 13
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where the boldface indicates the home games, right? Are you declaring the race for home field advantage over? :)
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
:)
Even though selfishly weekend games are better for me.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
thank you much!
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
by Ollie on Sep 23, 2009 1:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can see the schedule here.
Home field advantage is not clinched for anyone yet.
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
LA leads PHI by 2.5 and StL by 3. Phils have 12 games left, 11 for the others.
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
uhoh
if philly gets a better record overall than the cards
we have to face the cards in the 1st round…yikes!!!
"That is not how you play the game!!!" -Jack in the Box
by shaqfor3 on Sep 22, 2009 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is no team in baseball that makes me say “uh oh.” The Dodgers have just as good a chance as any team to win it all.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I won't worry about it for real until they get there
But the AL park games in the WS. Who DHs? Manny with JP in left? Thome looks done. JP himself?? Belliard?! Belliard/EyeChart platoon?
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Depending on whether the fork in Thome’s back is a salad fork or a serving fork, I would guess Pierre is the next in line for DH duty, with maybe a Belliard game at DH too.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As is appropriate for baseball
it is a pitchfork.
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
PITCHfork vs. trident?
Dood, I’m winning that in a WALKover.
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unless we play the Red Sox
I would guess Manny to DH and Pierre to LF.
by silverwidow on Sep 22, 2009 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I guess I meant Pierre as the 9th batter.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't want to get ahead of ourselves
But a series with New York or Boston would be the greatest sports moment of my lifetime.
by silverwidow on Sep 22, 2009 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Manny to DH in BOSTON? That's ironic
I know that Manny is not known for his defense- well, not in a good way- but he KNOWS that park. And you would need to, playing out there.
by sarcastro9 on Sep 22, 2009 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It looks like
Thome has less in his legs than Gibson in the WS. He should have reached on an error when he pinch hit.
by StolenMonkey86 on Sep 22, 2009 7:42 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Just noticed on BBTN
Adam Dunn’s HR was #316 in his career, tying The Penguin for 105th place on the all-time list.
Cey was 50th on that very list at the end of 1987, his final season.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 7:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
7-run 3rd inning for AZ
…and counting…10-4 AZ right now bases loaded 2 outs
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 8:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I blame the Yahoo boxscore. They had it at 10-4 with 2 outs. Now it says 9-4 after 3. Still good.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Feed fail?
I count six runs. Did they count Parra twice?
- S. Drew singled to shallow center
- J. Upton ground rule double to deep left center, S. Drew to third
- M. Montero singled to shallow left center, S. Drew and J. Upton scored TWO
- M. Reynolds struck out swinging
- G. Parra homered to deep right center, M. Montero scored but what about Parra? FOUR
- W. Joaquin relieved M. Cain
- R. Ryal walked
- B. Allen singled to shallow left, G. Parra scored, R. Ryal to second FAIL
- D. Davis reached on bunt single to pitcher, R. Ryal to third, B. Allen to second
- R. Ryal scored, B. Allen to third, D. Davis to second on wild pitch FIVE
- C. Young walked
- E. Whiteside catching
- M. Bumgarner relieved W. Joaquin
- S. Drew hit sacrifice fly to center, B. Allen scored SIX
- J. Upton singled to shallow center, D. Davis to third, C. Young to second
- M. Montero flied out to right
- End of Inning (7 Runs, 7 Hits, 0 Errors)
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t look at the actually play by play, just noted the score.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bumgarner finished the inning, as you can see above.
This will end that bogus Bochy for manager of the year talk up in SF, right?
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
WP makes it 8-6 Colorado bottom 6th
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 8:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Matt Cain has come up awfully small for SF lately
by oshea2002 on Sep 22, 2009 8:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
IF, and I mean IF, the Giants lose tonight, the Dodgers can clinch a playoff spot as early as tomorrow with the following:
1) Dodgers (91-60) win over Nats
2) Giants (81-70) loss in AZ
3) Braves (81-70) loss in NY
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 8:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
IF, and I mean IF, the Giants lose tonight,
Afraid of jinxing it? Not me. Stick a fork in ’em; the Giants are done.
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We both wrote fork comments at the same time.
Depending on whether the fork in Thome’s back is a salad fork or a serving fork, …
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 8:20 PM PDT
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Come get some!
My boy will be born on the first day of playoffs! His Dodger onesie is pressed and ready to wear. He’ll ya!!!!! Go Dodgers!
by Skunkburner on Sep 22, 2009 8:19 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
That’s just good parenting!
Congrats!
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Congrats!
I wonder if a lot of babies will be born to Dodger fans about 40 weeks after the last game of the World Series.
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
congrats in advance, and nice job!
My sister & bro-in-law are die hard Met fans. My niece was born the day Ryan Church missed third, and the Mets season subsequently spiraled out of control. I have stated that she is a harbinger of doom for them- just like I was by being born the day they traded Tom Seaver! :)
by sarcastro9 on Sep 22, 2009 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clint Effin Barmes hit an inside the park home run. 10-6 Rocks.
OTOH, this drives the, uh, pitchfork farther into the Giants’ season. Win-win scenario. Dodgers would still lead by 5 with 11 to play if the Rockies’ lead holds.
by David Young on Sep 22, 2009 8:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
error
“Furcal also drove in dour runs”
four…
by matthewmafa on Sep 22, 2009 8:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know, they were pretty sullen and unfriendly to the Nationals :)
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mr Lucky
Matt Cain is further regressing to the mean this evening. That’s very nice to see.
vr, Xei
by Xeifrank on Sep 22, 2009 9:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Dodgers Pytha record after this game should now be 96-55
by Tripon on Sep 22, 2009 9:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
and I jinxed it.
11-10 Rockies final. Padres scored 4 in the 9th
by Eric Stephen on Sep 22, 2009 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You really want weekend homegames don't you
Selfish:)
by Dodger Dude on Sep 22, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's one thing that'll be annoying about home field advantage
(if we get it) The team that doesn’t have it are going to have much more convenient games to go to- especially considering they start early, with the Dodgers being on the west coast and all!
by sarcastro9 on Sep 22, 2009 9:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The Dodgers are doing what a good team should be doing beating up on weak teams. I was little worried ealry on when we split with AZ and lost 2 out of 3 to the Padres in the 1st week of this month.
Ever since then things have been going great. Looks like Joe has some good playoff roster problems has in who will be the 4th playoff starter (Padilla, Garland, or Bills). I hope its not Bills. Just can’t trust him a big game like I can’t trust Tony Romo in big games for the Cowboys.
I hope he goes with Padilla b/c he has the power stuff that can do well in the playoffs.
The other is the playoff 2B. This is going to be Joe’s tough call do you say thank you for a good season to O-Dog but were going with the hot bat of Belliard. I’m torn between this call.
by Bison27 on Sep 22, 2009 9:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I was in denial for a long time, but
I think you’re right. Maybe he’ll get it together later, but for all the Bills defenders who like to point out the Cubs game in the NLDS last year, the fact is he had a huge lead virtually the entire game. Personally, I’m rooting for the guy, he is as good as the anyone when he’s “right”, and I hope that he turns it with his final 2 or 3 starts. But even if that’s the case, I doubt I’d trust him in any start in the NLDS except game 4, and that’s ONLY if the Dodgers are ahead by a game- I wouldn’t pitch him in an elimination game to save my life, and that’s pretty much what we’d be doing.
And I’m definitely in the O-Dog camp. Belliard’s come through big, which is part of the reason people have forgotten how many critical plays Hudson made during the season that probably saved at least a run or two in those critical, close games. Plus, I really don’t like the idea of benching our All-Star second baseman, just because the new utility guy has had an admittedly outstanding 2 or 3 weeks.
by sarcastro9 on Sep 22, 2009 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow- they made it that close?!
nail biting night in NL West games tonight!
by sarcastro9 on Sep 22, 2009 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothin’ like a game against the Nationals to get everyone on your team rolling again.
You wanna know how great baseball is? The greatest basketball player ever left his sport to play baseball.
by Jesse Sparks on Sep 22, 2009 11:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice to see the Dodgers own pitching they should own. No Homer Bailey, Leblanc like game today.
by KSeal on Sep 22, 2009 11:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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