Dodgers Punch Ticket For Postseason
by Eric Stephen on Sep 26, 2009 7:17 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Recaps
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PrintThe Dodgers' 8-4 victory over the Pirates tonight has clinched a playoff berth for the Dodgers, their second straight postseason trip and third in four seasons. Now that the Braves can no longer catch the Dodgers, the worst possible scenario for the Dodgers is winning the wild card.
| Team | W-L | GB |
| Dodgers | 93-62 | --- |
| Rockies | 87-67 | 5½ |
| Braves | 84-70 | 8½ |
More importantly, this officially moves the Dodgers' magic number to clinch the National League West to two one, because the Dodgers hold the tiebreaker over the Rockies by virtue of winning the season series with the Rockies, winning 12 of 15 games so far this season. The Dodgers can clinch the division as soon as tomorrow.
This is the first time the Dodgers have made the postseason in three out of four seasons since the 1963-1965-1966 run, which of course were all World Series appearances. The Dodgers also made the World Series in four of five seasons in 1952-1953-1955-1956.
The Dodgers last made the playoffs in successive seasons in 1995 & 1996. The last time they won the division in two straight years was 1977 & 1978, when they won two straight National League pennants.
This is Joe Torre's 14th straight playoff appearance, tying him with Bobby Cox for the major league record.
The Dodgers currently have the best record in the National League, with a 3-game lead over the Cardinals, and a 3½-game lead over the Phillies.
| 2009 Dodgers Checklist | |
 |
Make The Playoffs |
| Win National League West | |
| Best Record in the NL | |
| Win NLDS | |
| Win NL Pennant | |
| Win World Series | |
**********
As far as the game itself, the Dodgers opened the scoring early. Rafael Furcal singled to start the game, but was thrown at second base trying to stretch it into a double. Juan Pierre followed with a triple, which was followed by a Manny Ramirez ground-rule double for an early 1-0 lead. The Dodgers added a pair of runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a double by Mark Loretta, making only his second start since August 29.
A home run by Old Friend Andy LaRoche in the bottom of the fourth cut the Dodger lead to 4-1, a lead Randy Wolf took into the seventh inning. Three walks, two singles, and two pitchers later, the Pirates rallied for three runs to take the lead.
The Dodgers responded with a rally of their own in the top of the eighth, taking the lead on a pair of bases-loaded walks. Jim Thome followed with his biggest moment as a Dodger to date, with a two-run single to widen the lead to 7-4. Ronnie Belliard added his fifth home run as a Dodger in the ninth inning to provide the final margin.
George Sherrill picked up the win for the Dodgers, his first win since joining the team. That brings the total number of Dodgers to get a win this season to 22, a club record. In MLB history, only the Padres (23 in 2002, 24 in 2009) have had more pitchers get a win in one season.
Randy Wolf got yet another no-decision, his 16th of the season, tying Roy Oswalt for the MLB lead. Since moving to Los Angeles in 1958, the only other Dodger pitcher with more no-decisions than Wolf was Odalis Perez, with 18 in 2004.
Clayton Kershaw takes the hill tomorrow morning against Daniel McCutchen, as the Dodgers try to clinch their second straight National League West division title.
WP - George Sherrill (1-1): 0.1 inning, 1 hit, 1 walk
LP - Denny Bautista (1-1): 0.1 IP, 1 hit, 2 runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
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I’ll have a game recap up a bit later but Sherrill is the 22nd Dodger to get a win this year, a club record. MLB record is 23 pitchers.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 26, 2009 7:19 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
I didn’t check. That’s what Monday said. Didn’t Sherrill finish the 7th?
by Eric Stephen on Sep 26, 2009 7:29 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I am pretty sure he had forgotten
That both Sherrill and Elbert pitched before Troncoso. I think Thome batted for Sherrill.
Only if Bates is still locked in the closet
by KellyStephen on Sep 26, 2009 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions
nice we win!
phillies lost cards winning in the 7th!
"That is not how you play the game!!!" -Jack in the Box
by shaqfor3 on Sep 26, 2009 7:37 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
lame lame lame
Rox bring in a pinch runner, he gets picked off (pinch runner’s worst nightmare)…But ump calls him safe. another blown call by the “major league” umps
Unbe-freakin-leavable
Dodgers clinch playoffs, but they still play second fiddle to Jon Lester’s knee on ESPN
"Who would win: Coach Ditka versus a hurricane? The name of the hurricane is Hurricane Ditka"
by Mr. LA Sports Fan on Sep 26, 2009 7:53 PM PDT reply actions
Braves have 5 games against the Nats, and 3 games against the Marlins.
Rockies have 1 game against the Cards, 3 games against the Brewers, and 3 games against the Dodgers.
The braves are hot right now
They play 4 more games against washington and 3 against Florida. Colorado still has to face us and the Brewers
I like the Rockies (except their manager), but...
it really would be better for the Dodgers if the Braves got the WC. Right now, we are looking at the facing the Philli’s in 5 then the Cardnials in 7. I’d much rather be looking at the Braves and Cards/Philli’s.
Agreed
Go Braves so we can smack your ass!
by Dodger Dude on Sep 26, 2009 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Yippee! Hurray! Dodgers win! Rockies lose!
NL West magic number down to one!
And then the magic number was one
by Eric Stephen on Sep 26, 2009 8:18 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
I wonder if LaRussa
Will go house money tomorrow? Though they now just took a 1/2 game lead over Philadelphia.
I hope he does. We clinch in the morning anyway :)
time for the Rox to help the Dodgers get home field in the NLCS
by Eric Stephen on Sep 26, 2009 8:24 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
And then today I find out
That the Diamond, the former home of the AAA Richmond Braves, the minor league stadium I grew up going to, which had to go without baseball for 2009, would have a tenant for 2010.
It will be the Giants AA affiliate, formerly the Connecticut Defenders.
Granted they did announce this a while ago, but I didn’t realize that they were actually intending to keep the Diamond and put in significant rennovations. Good for them.
But this is kind of weird to have the Giants prospects there . I also can’t help but wonder if they would be better than the Nationals.
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