Kershaw's Gem Keeps Dodgers Within Reach In Win Over Angels
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2011 5:38 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Recaps
Email
PrintFor a hopeless team in a lost season, the Dodger Stadium crowd was electric in the ninth inning, as the Dodgers snagged a victory from the jaws of defeat, salvaging a win against the Angels, 3-2. Tony Gwynn Jr., who drove in the tying run with a triple in the seventh inning, delivered the winning blow with a single to right field, scoring Trent Oeltjen and snapping the Dodgers' six-game home losing streak against the Angels.
Today's game was billed as a pitching duel of the highest order, and Clayton Kershaw and Jered Weaver did not disappoint, both pitching gems. But it looked bleak for Kershaw and the Dodgers in the top of the ninth inning after Vernon Wells tattooed a slider into the left field seats with two outs to give the Angels a 2-1 lead. However, walks by Juan Uribe and Dioner Navarro to start the ninth inning provided hope, as did Dee Gordon's legs and hands.
Gordon pinch ran for Uribe, and promptly stole second base, though replays indicated Gordon may have been out as he appeared to be off the bag (over it) after initially touching second base. After a sacrifice put runners on second and third base with one out, Aaron Miles lofted a fly ball to short center field, and Gordon tagged up from third base. Peter Bourjos made an outstanding throw home and Jeff Mathis initially had the plate blocked, only in the opinion of home plate umpire Tom Hallion, Mathis never tagged Gordon.
This play was remarkably close, and difficult to tell one way or another, and whether or not you think Gordon was safe may depend on your rooting interest. That said, it looked to me like Gordon's hand touched home plate before Mathis tagged him, but at the very least it was a poor finish by Mathis to an otherwise great play.
However, the story of the game was Kershaw, who was magnificent yet again. Consider...
- He struck out 11 batters for the second straight start. The last Dodger to strike out double digits in consecutive starts was Chan Ho Park in September 2000. Park struck out 13 in both games.
- Kershaw pitched his second straight complete game, the first Dodger to throw back-to-back complete games since Jered's brother Jeff Weaver in 2005.
- Kershaw now leads the majors in strikeouts with 128.
Kershaw didn't just excel on the mound today, but in the field as well. He allowed a leadoff ground-rule double to Jeff Mathis in the top of the sixth inning, but quickly erased him thanks to some fine glovework. Weaver tried to lay down a sacrifice bunt, but the ball hung up in the air long enough for Kershaw to snag it, then immediately turn toward second base, against his momentum, to double off Mathis.
Kershaw also came through at the plate with a two-out single in the seventh inning, and scored on the triple by Gwynn. All in all, it was a great overall game by the Dodgers' ace, who started and ended the Dodgers' week with gems.
The Dodgers are en route to Minnesota tonight, and start a three-game series with the Twins Monday night.
WP - Clayton Kershaw (8-3): 9 IP, 6 hits, 2 runs, 11 strikeouts
LP - Jordan Walden (1-2): 2/3 IP, 1 hit, 2 runs, 2 walks
73 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
what a game
wish i had gone to this one rather than yesterdays
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 5:46 PM PDT reply actions
hahaha
i knew it, but my older brother really wanted to go yesterday, as he had stuff to do today
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions
yes
IIRC
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions
so to hell with Mathis, and those cheating Angel fans can go with him : p
by Josie Becker on Jun 26, 2011 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, he has to have possession before he can block the plate (technically)
KCAL! FTMFW!
by robotmadeofnails on Jun 27, 2011 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions
wow, and I thought we had it made in the Loge section, third base side.
by Josie Becker on Jun 26, 2011 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I wasn't that close.
About 13 rows back. This is just a pic zoomed in on Kershaw.
by Taylor Maricle on Jun 26, 2011 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions
No, yeah, i wasn't first row.
I was in the middle of a bunch of great fans.
by Taylor Maricle on Jun 26, 2011 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions
ah, I should have noticed the telltale signs of digital zoom e
by Josie Becker on Jun 26, 2011 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, i though a pic of Kershaw would be better than a pic of the stadium so i posted the zoomed-in one. Confusion all around!
by Taylor Maricle on Jun 26, 2011 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions
cool beans
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Catching up on earlier stuff from today, there is absolutely no reason to go to Tijuana if you are 21 years old or over. There are plenty of other places to go drink and have a good time. If you want the added smell of urine, go to New Orleans.
It's the happiest plzc
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
by underdog on Jun 26, 2011 6:43 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
It's the happiest place on earth!!
No, it’s a horrible place.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
by underdog on Jun 26, 2011 6:45 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Bochy knows how good he is
he’s a complete idiot if he doesn’t pick him
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Gordon really made that play close because how awful his slide was. I’m not sure what he was looking at while running down the line, but Mathis came in front of the plate and opened up the back half. Dee came in a bout a foot inside of the line and tried to go right through Mathis. A headfirst dive to the outside (not into the catcher) while swiping the plate would have gotten him there faster and probably been safer for Dee. It was great that he made it, but it shouldnt have been that close.
that's what I thought
looking at the replay. Lopes has to show him the way.
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
with an off day thursday for both teams
Looks like we get Kershaw/Weaver again on Sat. Unfortunately, I am going Sunday. Hopefully Bills can right himself.
In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened
by JB 8 on Jun 26, 2011 6:13 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
his last outing was promising
here’s hoping
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions
cool
any other tidbits from the minors?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Not too much of note
Gould had a meh start and took the loss (4 walks in 4 innings).
Sands has really heated up for AAA, which is good.
indeed
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions
furcal is back?
be “ready” in a week?
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Having sat nearly everywhere in the Stadium
nothing beats my seats in the shade behind home plate on the reserved level
With all due respect
I gotta say Todd’s seats in the shade in the Loge level, right behind the Dodger dugout were an instant hit with me and my family
by Josie Becker on Jun 26, 2011 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions
(sob)
those were my grandparents old seats
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions
i miss those seats
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions
It's a sideways view
actually for the few times I sat there LAT’s behind home plate on the Loge were nice. But hey I like my seats.
Yeah those are really nice seats
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
I def need to be more careful about getting seets in the shade for day games going forward
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Best seats I ever had were even with third base at the top of the Loge section, in the shade. 10 steps from the beer line, 20 steps to the food, and real close to the restrooms. We were in the last row, so we just stepped over the back of the seat. Watched Dennis Martinez’s perfect game from there.
Baseball is a game, and games are supposed to be fun.
As Jon Weisman
reminded us earlier, this was Kershaw’s 100th career start.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Jon also
tweeted Kershaw’s homestand numbers:
@dodgerthoughts Kershaw on the homestand: 25 innings, 26 strikeouts, 12 hits, three walks, three runs, 1.08 ERA. #dodgersto which I added, thanks to the prompting of commenter Billyum
DavidYoungTBLA & 3-8, BB, R, 2 RBI !
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Kershaw, soccer.
this is probably the best sports day of my life.
Aw, I thought it was cute, the way he blamed True Blue LA for losing the game. You should have left it up to show exactly how NOT to respond to a game.
Baseball is a game, and games are supposed to be fun.
it consumes all
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I was on Halos Heaven a couple times this weekend, and the only things they hate more than the Dodgers are their own players, caoches, manager and front office. The hate on that site is palpable. It’s a constant Hate thread, but without the humor.
Baseball is a game, and games are supposed to be fun.
yeah,
at least this place is funny.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions
heh
Question to a Dodger fan: What do you think of the Angels
Most common response: What about them?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I like that they beat the Giants in the World Series a few years ago.
Baseball is a game, and games are supposed to be fun.
True, that was the one time I sort of rooted for them or liked them. Kind of.
For a second.
That was a tough WS for me, frankly.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
I've seen just as much vitrol directed at angel fans by dodgers fans as I have going the other way
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
i can believe it
but most Dodger fans I know don’t really care about the “rivalry”
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 26, 2011 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Because there is no rivalry. Angel fans are like the little kid trying to get his older brother to acknowledge him in some fashion. They want a seat at the big kid’s table. They want the Angels to win 1st, but the Dodgers losing is a close 2nd. I live in the OC and have to put up with this bullshit all the time. This bullshit w/the Fuckhead McCourts is putting a smile on all their faces.
What sucks is that I actually like the Angels as a team and an organization; first class from Arte on down. They are definitely my 2nd favorite baseball team. I can guarantee you that there are zero Angel fans with the Dodgers as their 2nd favorite team.
by KellyStephen on Jun 26, 2011 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions
You should check it out. Every 4th comment, when it’s not complaining about Angel players, is about hating the Dodgers. It gets worse during Interleague play.
Baseball is a game, and games are supposed to be fun.
halosheaven's comment section is bad
I’ll leave it at that
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Not sure if this has been mentioned
but Kershaw is on pace to throw 238 innings this year.
Nothing is ever easy.
Always easy to inflate right after a start
The Dodgers have 83 games left, and they have shown no willingness (yet) to skip a fifth starter, so Kershaw looks to get 16 more starts, perhaps 17 if you account for a slight reshuffle coming out of the All-Star break.
116 2/3 innings in 17 starts so far = 6.86 per start
33 starts = ~226 1/3 innings
34 starts = 233 1/3 innings
17 more complete games = 269 2/3 innings :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 26, 2011 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Classic Game
Sorry I missed it, but I was busy at Chuck E Cheese for my daughter’s 7 year old birthday party. When I got in the car on the way home and turned on the radio the Dodgers were batting in the B9th inning. I had to do a lot of detective work to figure out the score. I could tell the Dodgers were down by one run, but had no idea what the score was until it was tied 2-2. Steiner and Monday should have some kind of automated “voice over” giving the score every 60 seconds. Great win. Glad Kershaw got the W, he deserved it.
I was there today!
I only go to one or two games a year anymore, but this was a great game, one of the best I’ve seen in awhile. That bottom of the 9th felt looked like the LA Dodgers I know and love. Great pitching and speed makes for great baseball. Wonderful to see Tony Gwynn do so well. I didn’t know he had it in him, but he really spanked those two key hits. I’m still hoarse from yelling. My girlfriend with her Angel visor even had to admit it was a good game. I thought we were done when Wells drove the ball out, but happy times are here again, if only for a day!
sad thing is this shouldn’t have been that close. the problem all season, with RISP reared it’s ugly head again today. we should (by my calculations) have won 4-2, and this is without the end of game theatrics.
if kershaw can learn how to execute bunts wonderfully and even rake a little why the hell can’t the rest of the team. i refuse to believe that kidK in his off time is a better hitter than the full time hitters here. this team and this season is pathetic but as I’m a masochist and I can’t stop loving them.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on True Blue LA
Related FanShots on True Blue LA
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Eric Hosmer redefines the Baltimore chop with infield double (Video)
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
