Dodgers Win On Uribe’s Blast, But Lose Greinke To Injury

You would think in a game that gets won on a Uribe home run, would be cause for massive celebration, and snacking. unfortunately thug man Carlos Quentin, ruined Uribe’s beautiful home run, by literally losing his mind and attacking poor Greinke in the bottom of the sixth inning. And by doing that becomes public enemy number one in Los Angeles.

Before that, the game was just another one-run match, amidst a season likely to be full of them. For the first five and a half innings, tonight’s Dodger game wasn’t very exciting. The Dodgers were leading by a score of 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth, and it looked like another low-scoring pitcher’s duel with the Dodgers leaving another million runners on base. (They left 12) The battle between Birdman Zack Greinke, and veteran right hander Jason Marquis was a one-run affair, and the Dodgers were leading 2-1 going into the bottom of the sixth.

The Dodgers have seen Marquis many times over the years, and were still on top thanks to a two-run home run from Adrian Gonzalez in the top of the first inning. After that, the Dodgers were unable to score off of Marquis.

Then things got very intense. Greinke went out for what probably would have been his last inning of work in the bottom of the sixth. He had already made over 85 pitches. Records do show that Greinke has hit Quentin three times in the past, but so what? Everyone has hit Quentin, because he has a history of crowding the plate.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) and left fielder Carl Crawford (25) high five after Gonzalez hit a two run home run during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Quentin was leading off the frame. Greinke’s 3-2 pitch got away from him and accidentally plunked Quentin in the arm. It was not intentional in any way. Then the game turned into something straight out of the world wide wrestling federation. What we got was the nastiest brawl of the season., and chances for injuries. Quentin for some inexplicable reason charged the mound, running violently at poor Greinke, probably with the intent on killing him. Quentin collided with Greinke, as he turned his pitching shoulder away from Quentin. The benches cleared, as Quentin tackled Greinke to the ground.

After the smoke had cleared, Quentin was ejected, Greinke was seen walking off the field with head trainer Sue Falsone, Mat Kemp was ejected, and all of Dodger land huddled in the corner, petrified to hear what the injury news was on Greinke.

Was Greinke hurt during the fray? We didn’t know at first. The Dodgers wouldn’t announce anything until after the game was over. Then we heard the terrifying news. Greinke suffered a broken left collar bone in the collision with Quentin. He was seen wearing a sling after the game.

The Dodgers had to bring in lefty Chris Capuano to replace Greinke. Cappy was allowed to throw as many warm-up pitches as he needed (replacing an injured pitcher), then proceeded to allow the tying run to score.

Then the game would take a turn into the twilight zone. It happened in the top of the eighth, when Juan Uribe of all guys slammed a pinch-hit solo go-ahead home run over the left field fence to break the 2-2 tie, and put the Dodgers ahead 3-2. It would turn out to be the eventual game winner. Uribe who hit a home run in the first game of the series, now leads the Dodgers in home runs with two. I swear you can’t script this stuff.

The Dodger bullpen consisting of Belisario, Paco, Guerrier, and Jansen, pitched the rest of the way, keeping San Diego off the board to record the win for the Dodgers by a score of 3-2. The victory was a hollow one, as the Dodgers lose their number two pitcher for who knows how long.

Here is how the game went, before it turned into the house of horrors.

Top of the first- Veteran right hander Jason Marquis goes to work to begin the game. Carl Crawford singles to center as usual, to start the game with another base hit for the Dodgers. Mark Ellis flies out, and is unable to advance Crawford. Matt Kemp whiffs pathetically. Adrian Gonzalez, the next hitter, murders a baseball halfway up the right field bleachers for a huge two-run home run. The Dodgers lead 2-0!

After Gonzalez made a Baseball look foolish, Andre Ethier walks, and A.J. Ellis singles him to second.  Luis Cruz ends the frame by grounding out. Birdman Zack Greinke takes the hill in the bottom of the first. Greinke has a nice easy 123 frame. Everth Cabrera grounds out, Will Venable whiffs, and Carlos Quentin grounds out to third.

The Dodgers continue to bang on the door in the top of the second. With one out, Greinke himself is walked on four pitches. Not a good move from Marquis, walking the opposing starter. Crawford flies out to center, but M.Ellis singles up the middle. Kemp however, still struggling, grounds out to end the threat.

The Padres have a potential scoring rally in the bottom of the second nullified because of a double play. Yonder Alonso leads off with a single to right. Jedd Gyorko hits into a 5-4-3 Dodger double play. Nick Hundley follows with a double, making the double play very important. Cameron Maybin fouls out behind the plate.

The Dodgers threaten again in the top of the third, but again come up empty with runners in scoring position. With two outs, A.J. Ellis and Luis Cruz both get hits, and Sellers walks to load the bases. But Greinke grounds into a force out, and the Dodgers don’t score. The Dodgers are now 0 for forever with the bases loaded so far this season. Jason Marquis helps his own cause with a one-out single in the bottom of the third. Greinke gets out of it. He induces Cabrera to line out to Ethier, and whiffs Venable.

Greinke allows his first run as a Dodger in the bottom of the fourth, in very annoying fashion.  After whiffing Alonso and Quentin, Greinke walks Gyorko. Hundley singles Gyorko to third. With runners at first and third, Greinke uncorks a wild pitch, allowing Gyorko to score, and the padres cut the Dodger lead to 2-1. Maybin grounds out to end the frame.

Move to the top of the sixth.The 100 MPH flame thrower Andrew Cashner takes over on the mound for marquis in the top of the sixth. Marquis pitches a solid five frames, allowing two runs, on seven hits. marquis walked four and whiffed five. Cashner retires the Dodgers in order, and we go to the bottom of the sixth. This is when all hell breaks loose. Carlos Quentin leading off the inning, is plunked by a 3-2 Greinke pitch in the arm, and then all of a sudden he violently charges the mound at Grienke. There is a collision followed by Greinke getting tackled, and the benches clear. It reminds me of a huge Dodger brawl in Colorado many years ago. It got ugly for a minute, but finally order is restored. Matt Kemp was fuming. Greinke has to leave the game and walks off the field with Sue Falsone. We’re not sure if it’s because of injury, or if he’s been ejected. Matt Kemp is also ejected in the fray, as is Jerry Hairston. After hearing about Greinke’s injury, Kemp lost it and had to be restrained.

San Diego Padres left fielder Carlos Quentin (left) charges the mound after being hit by a pitch from Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) during the sixth inning at PETCO Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Apparently it’s thug life at Petco Park-Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers have to bring in Capuano. Who immediately uncorks a wild pitch, allowing Amarista to advance to second. Alonso then singles him home, to tie the game at 2-2. After Gyorko walks, and Hudley whiffs, Cameron Maybin flies into a double play, as the Dodgers catch Alonso and the Padres sleeping.

Move to the bottom of the seventh. Cappy whiffs Cody Ransom, then allows a single to Chris Denorfia. Cabrera reaches on a fielding error from Gonzo, who bobbles the sacrifice attempt. He whiffs Venable and then Matt Guerrier is called in to retire Jesus Guzman on a fly out.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (right) with third baseman Luis Cruz (left) after San Diego Padres left fielder Carlos Quentin (not pictured) charged the mound during the sixth inning and the benches cleared at PETCO Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

In the top of the eighth. Juan Uribe, comes off the bench to slug a pinch-hit solo home run off of Luke Gregerson. The solo shot puts the Dodgers ahead by a score of 3-2.  This was Uribe’s first pinch-hit home run since 2004. It’s feastmode in San Diego! Unbelievable! Ronald Belisario and Paco Rodriguez retire the Padres in the bottom of the eighth. After the Dodgers don’t score in the top of the ninth, we move to the bottom of the ninth. Kenley Jansen comes in to close since Brandon League pitched last night. Jansen whiffs Cody Ransom, gets Denorfia to pop out to third. Finally Everth Cabrera lines out to Crawford, and the Dodgers hold on to win 3-2.

What a wild series. I’m glad to see a win tonight, thanks to Uribe, but it’s bittersweet. It sucks, that Uribe’s moment in the sun is marred by this ugly incident. Needless to say, Quentin is a thug, and should be suspended for the rest of the season. There is no excuse to try and hurt someone on purpose. It was completely uncalled for.

Again, Greinke has a fractured left collar bone. It is not his pitching shoulder, but it still is very bad news for the Dodgers. He was seen wearing a sling, and will fly back to Los Angeles to be examined further. We’ll have more on this later.

The Dodgers are going to want justice, and you better believe they are going to get it once the two teams meet again next week at Dodger Stadium. The two teams play each other 16 more times this season. Yikes. More to come tomorrow.

It’s unfortunate that the brawl, and Greinke’s injury takes away from the awesomeness of a game-winning Uribe home run. Until then, I want to thank our lovable portly third sacker. If not for Uribe’s jack, we might have lost this game, as well as our number two starter. Let’s all tip our caps and have an empanada in Uribe’s honor. This Empanada is for you Uribe!

This one’s for you Juan!

Go Blue!