Gordon’s Walk-Off RBI Single Lifts Dodgers to Series Win on Father’s Day

The Dodgers pulled out a series win over the Chicago White Sox, in a 2-1 win in ten innings at Dodger Stadium on Father’s Day. The win coupled with the Giants loss at Seattle increases the lead in the NL West to five games.

The game started out typically for the Dodgers. Cappy was pitching well, but there was little to no offense, as the Dodgers fell behind 1-0. Chicago rookie Jose Quintana, held the Dodgers scoreless through eight innings, but left with a no-decision. Cappy left with a no-decision as well, as the Dodgers scored one run in the bottom of the ninth to tie, and one run in the bottom of the tenth to win it. I thought the Dodgers were toast, like I always do, but they again battled back, to rally to tie, then win, in Typical scratch and claw style that has defined their season. Ronald Belisario pitched two scoreless frames to pick up the win, as this magical 2012 season goes on.

Chris Capuano pitched eight innings, allowing just one run, off six hits, while walking one, and whiffing 12 Chicago batters. Cappy lowered his ERA to 2.71, and took a no-decision. Jose Quintana pitched eight scoreless frames, allowing just five hits, walking none, and whiffing six Dodgers, but didn’t get the win. There was a blown call in the bottom of the sixth that erased what would have been the tying run, as the third base umpire Jerry Meals, ruled Matt Treanor had left third base too early, on Elian Herrera’s fly ball to right field. The run was taken away, as manager Don Mattingly was ejected for arguing. The Dodgers tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, on two singles from Bobby Abreu, Elian Herrera, and a sac fly from Juan Rivera. The winning run was plated on a triple from the struggling Tony Gwynn, and a walk-off RBI single from Dee Gordon in the bottom of the tenth. Andre Ethier also made three great defensive plays, including robbing Dayan Viciedo of a home run on a deep fly ball to right field. Gordon and Herrera had five of the Dodger’s nine hits on the day.

The Dodgers only had four hits through the first seven innings. The White Sox took the lead 1-0, in the top of the sixth. Brent Lillibridge singles, advances to second on a bumbling error from Elian Herrera in center field. That bumble would prove costly for the Dodgers. Gordon Beckham’s grounder advances Lillibridge to third. After Adam Dunn, the ogre whiffs, lilibridge scores on an RBI single to center from rookie Dayan Viciedo. Alex Rios flies out to end the frame.

Move to the bottom of the sixth. Matt Treanor reaches on a bunt single. Cappy sacrifices Treanor to second. Dee Gordon singles on a ball that is deflected off of Quintana’s glove, as Treanor moves to third. Here comes the stupid. Elian Herrera flies out to right fielder Alex Rios. Treanor tags up from third and appears to score on the sac fly to right. Rios’s throw was wide and offline, as Flowers dropped the ball. Chicago tries to challenge the play saying that Treanor left third base too early. Excuse me, but the replays clearly show that Treanor did NOT leave the bag early. Yet another blown call from the umpires. Third base umpire Jerry Meals rules Treanor out, and the run is taken off the scoreboard. Since there was one out already, the double play, ends the inning. Of course Mattingly comes out to argue and is thrown out of the game.  With that, the Pale Hose keep their slim 1-0 lead.

Ronald Belisario relieved Cappy to pitch two scoreless innings in relief. Move to the bottom of the ninth. Addison Reed enters the game to pitch for the White Sox. Bobby Abreu singles to lead off. Dee Gordon attempts to bunt Abreu over to second, and can’t execute and pops out. Herrera collects a hit and run single to the hole between first and second to send Bobby to third. Chicago has a coaching visit on the mound. Juan Rivera hits a sac fly to right, that scores Abreu, to tie the game at 1-1. Andre Ethier is intentionally walked, but Jerry Hairston flies out, and we go to extra innings.

After Belisario pitches a scoreless top of the tenth, the Dodgers rally to win in the bottom of the tenth. It was close though. Matt Thornton replaces Reed. James Loney grounds out to begin the frame. Tony Gwynn Jr. triples to left on a ball that gets by Jordan Danks, as he tried to dive for the ball. Treanor’s ground out is unable to score Gwynn. Bobby Abreu is intentionally walked to put runners at first and third with two outs. Dee Gordon immediately singles to left to score Gwynn, and the Dodgers win 2-1!

I watched the game with my Dad, and spent a nice day with my family. The Dodger win just made the day even better. The Dodgers take the series from Chicago, and split the home-stand at 3-3. The boys in Blue improve to an MLB best 42-25 on the season, and an impressive 5-4 in interleague play. Tomorrow the Dodgers have a scheduled off-day, which will be the Dodgers last off-day until the all-star break. On Tuesday the Dodgers will begin a nine game three city road trip, with a three game series in Oakland. Tuesday night’s game is a 7PM game. We hope you will join us then. I hope everyone had a great father’s day! Go Blue.