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The Dodgers didn't have much of an offense in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the White Sox, but the majority of what they did have was generated by Dee Gordon. Gordon had both Dodgers hits and scored their only run on Wednesday, and also added to his major-league-leading stolen base tally.
Gordon led off the game with a picture-perfect drag bunt single in between the pitchers mound and first base, then one out later beat the throw to second base on a steal attempt. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, Chicago second baseman Gordon Beckham expertly blocked the bag from Gordon, and he was called out.
It was just the fourth time Gordon has been caught trying to steal this season, and the first time since May 4, snapping a string of 15 consecutive successful steals.
In the eighth inning, Gordon doubled off the glove of third baseman Leury Garcia, then stole third without a throw for his 35th steal of the season, a 13-steal lead over Billy Hamilton of the Reds. Gordon is on pace for 93 steals this season.
Gordon remains slightly ahead of Wills' record-setting pace in 1962 when the former Dodgers shortstop stole 104 bases. Gordon is also close to the great start by Wills in 1965, when he ended with 94 steals.
Here's Gordon vs. Wills through 61 team games:
Scenario | Wills 1962 | Wills 1965 | Gordon 2014 |
SB/CS through 61 team games | 34/5 | 39/12 | 35/4 |
SB/CS rest of the season | 70/8 | 55/19 | TBD |
Game No. 62 | 0-for-0, 0 SB | 2-for-4, 2 SB | vs. RHP Butler |
Wills in the Dodgers' 61st game of 1962 was 2-for-6 and stole second base in the fifth inning against reliever John Anderson and catcher Merritt Ranew of the Houston Colt 45s, the latter name I can honestly say I have never seen before. For Wills, it was his fourth straight game with a steal. It was the first game of a doubleheader and Wills didn't start the second game, game No. 62, but played the final inning on defense.
Wills in 1965 was 0-for-4 without a stolen base in the Dodgers' 61st game of the season, but he would get back on the beam with two hits and two steals in Game No. 62.
The Dodgers' next game is Friday night at Coors Field, facing right-hander Eddie Butler in his major league debut. Butler in 11 starts this season with Double-A Tulsa has allowed 11 stolen bases in 11 attempts, so look for a bright green light for Gordon on Friday.