Dodgers Can't Finish, Magic Number Still at One
The Dodgers let one slip through their fingers today when they fell 6-5 to the Pirates. Although runs were at a premium for much of the contest, the Dodgers broke a 2-2 tie in the 9th inning by scoring three runs off of Pirates reliever Matt Capps. However, Jonathan Broxton (with the help of his fielders) was unable to shut the door on the Pirates, allowing four runs and only recording one out to give the Pirates a 6-5 win.
Clayton Kershaw made his first start since injuring his shoulder and went 4 innings while allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts. Both runs scored in the third inning on three hits, two singles and a double. The Dodgers scored previously in the inning when Rafael Furcal singled in Orlando Hudson, so the scored was 2-1 Pirates.
The score stayed that way until the 7th inning. James Loney led off with a single and Ronnie Belliard hit a double to put runners on second and third. After a strikeout and an intentional walk the bases were loaded with one out for Jim Thome. Thome grounded out to short which allowed Loney to score to tie the game at 2. Rafael Furcal then grounded out to end the inning.
In the 9th inning closer Matt Capps came on for the Pirates. He allowed three straight singles which put the Dodgers up 3-2 before Orlando Hudson layed down a sacrifice to move the runners to secnod and third. It is more than a bit questionable to give a free out to a struggling closer when you already have the lead. Manny Ramirez came on to pinch hit but was intentionally walked because there was an open base. Rafael Furcal then reached on a fielders choice to score the second run of the inning. After Juan Pierre lined out a passed ball let Russell Martin score to put the Dodgers up 5-2. Andre Ethier struck out and Jonathan Broxton came in for the bottom of the 9th.
Broton allowed two singles to start the inning to Delwyn Young and Brandon Moss. Andrew McCutchen then hit a double play ball to Furcal but he didn't play it cleanly and so the Dodgers only got one out. Andy Laroche then hit an infield single which Furcal threw away, allowing a run to score and the runners to move to second and third. Broxton intentionally walked Garrett Jones, bringing up Lastings Milledge with the bases loaded and the score 5-3. Milledge singled to right center field and Ethier misplayed and then overran the ball, allowing all three runners to score and giving the Pirates an improbable 6-5 win.
Here's the win probability chart for the game. On the passed ball that put the Dodgers up 5-2 their win probability was up to 96.5%:
Tommorow is the finale of the four game set as the Dodgers try once again to clinch the NL West (their magic number is currently at 1). The Dodgers had the champagne ready but the loss meant the celebration has to wait at least one more day:
(The loss sent) clubhouse attendants into a mad scramble to clear out the party supplies for another time and, as it turned out after Colorado's win, another day.
Hiroki Kuroda (8-6) will face off against Zack Duke (10-15) at 9:35 AM tommorow morning.
WP - Matt Capps (4-8): 1 IP, 3 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 1 walk, 1 strikeout
LP - Jonathan Broxton (7-2): 0.1 IP, 4 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 1 walk, 0 strikeouts
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11 comments
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Comments
I blame this game on.... Mark Loretta.
Yeah, I said it.
by Tripon on Sep 27, 2009 6:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
crappy loss
but whatever, there are worse things than having your magic number at 1 with a few games to spare.
I’m guessing we’ll be reading an article from Buster Olney soon saying “If the Dodgers pitching staff is so good, then why did Kershaw only go 4 innings???” and that a rival GM states that the Dodgers want to but can’t move Sherrill into the closers role.
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
by BoulderDodger on Sep 27, 2009 6:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The Dodgers can't be bothered to win a Clayton Kershaw start.
by Tripon on Sep 27, 2009 7:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Clayton
has no luck but good luck left for the playoffs.
Either that or he did something really really bad in a past life.
by Dodger Dude on Sep 27, 2009 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Zach (with an 'H')
…gives out tons of walks, which explains why he’s given up 95 runs in the past ten games yet has a better-than-average ERA.
I really hope we don’t see Road Brox in Philly or St Louis (though if we see him at all, I suppose that means we have the lead). Beyond that, I really hope these recent fielding brainfarts stay in September where they belong.
by stillnotah8er on Sep 27, 2009 10:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Was out all day…finally saw the highlights. The 9th inning felt a little rapey to me.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 27, 2009 10:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Since it was Sunday I was wondering if u knew it was a road game
And weren’t sitting at the DS gates waiting to open.
by delias man on Sep 27, 2009 10:30 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
doh!
misread the stats…. he has given up at least seven hits in his last seven home starts, only one of which was a win
by stillnotah8er on Sep 27, 2009 10:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Damn it!
Dude, just get the stinking win and clinch already. They need to nut up and worry about homefield advantage. How do you not beat up on the pirates. The west will be won. But not sure about homefield.
by Skunkburner on Sep 27, 2009 10:30 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
They have beaten the Pirates 4 of 6 games this season. Hard to expect much more than that.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 27, 2009 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How strange
how that corresponds to their wind % adjusted to sucky teams and Pitts win % against good teams.
by Dodger Dude on Sep 28, 2009 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

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