The Beat Goes On For Incredible Dodgers In Sweep Of Tampa Bay

Yes that Keaneu picture is how I feel, I think it’s how we all feel about this spectacular run. Tonight was just another easy win for the Dodgers. For the first time in I think my entire life, I have nothing to complain about regarding the Dodgers. No really, it’s true. Nothing! You may think I was going to complain about the bunt from Juan Uribe in the second with Dee Gordon and Kershaw due up next But I didn’t and Kershaw ended up singling in two-runs anyways. You may think I was going to complain about Gordon’s three lazy side-armed throwing errors. Yes folks Gordon made not one, not two, but three errors. I think it’s time to move Gordon off of shortstop because it’s just not working out. Nope, not gonna complain about those either.

Kershaw turns in another dominating performance-Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

For once I have nothing to complain about as the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw destroyed the Tampa Bay Rays beating them 8-2 and sweeping them in this three game interleague series at Dodger Stadium. The Dodger’s incredible run continues as the team improves to 37-8 over their last 45 games. This prolific run has turned me into a starry eyed cheery optimist guys! I’m serious. Me! Optimistic! It’s a strange but wonderful feeling watching a Dodger game and just knowing they will win. Imagine me not complaining! Even the impossible is possible.

The Dodgers finally scored some runs for Kershaw, with Clayton picking up two of them with a two-run single in the bottom of the second. The Dodgers scored three in that frame, and then one in the third, two in the fourth, and two in the sixth. Mark Ellis added an RBI double in that second frame, and then a big time two-run blast in the sixth. Gonzalez had a two-run double in the fourth. Mark Ellis had a huge night going 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and his two-run homer. Gordon, AJ, and Crawford all had two hits each, and Gonzalez had two runs driven in. The Dodgers scored eight runs on 14 hits. Four of them scored off of Tampa Bay starter Jeremy Hellickson who was removed after four frames.

Gonzo says yeah!!!!-Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Kershaw pitched another magnificent game. He allowed just two runs, (one earned thanks to stupid Gordon), three hits, eight whiffs, and only two walks on 103 pitches.

The only runs Tampa Bay would even sniff was a fifth inning run when Escobar singled and pinch-hitter Sam Fuld tripled him in. Tampa Bay added another run in the eighth  when Lobaton walked, James Loney singled, Gordon made another error (his third of the night) and Myer’s sacrifice fly scored the second run.

Kershaw picked up his eleventh win and lowered his ERA to 1.88. The Dodgers even picked up another game on the Snakes who lost Again to the Mets. The Dodger’s lead is now 7.5 games in the NL West. The Dodgers are now a season high 17 games above .500 and have the third best record in the National League. This historic run is something very special we are witnessing. For the younger generation like myself who were too young to see all of the great Dodger teams of the 60’s and 70’s this is especially sweet. Time to party! Get down guys, and check put the highlights below!

Kershaw begins the game by whiffing Sean Rodriguez looking on a nasty breaking ball. Kershaw whiffs Wil Myers on a 1-2 slider down and in. Evan Longoria’s grounder to the hole at short is fielded by Gordon and he makes a nice play to get him for the third out. Adrian Gonzalez makes a nice pick as well.

In the bottom of the first, Jeremy Hellickson starts out the frame by getting Carl Crawford to fly out to left. Mark Ellis singles up the middle. Gonzo flies out. Yasiel Puig whiffs and that’s all for the first inning.

Lobaton ponders why Tampa Bay sucks?-Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

In the top of the second, Kershaw gets Ben Zobrist to ground out, and whiffs Yunel Escobar. Ryan Roberts annoyingly walks. Jose Lobaton the rookie catcher grounds to Uribe for the third out.

The Dodgers take the lead in the bottom of the second. Andre Ethier leads off with a slicing single to left. A.J. Ellis singles to left, Ethier stops at second. Uribe sacrifices the runners over to second and third. After Gordon whiffs, kershaw rips a two-run single to right. The line drive scores two, and the Dodgers go up 2-0! Crawford strokes a base hit that gets through Robert’s glove. M.Ellis strokes a double off the low wall in left field to score another run. The score is now 3-0 Dodgers.

Kershaw whiffs Hellickson to lead off the third, but Gordon makes a wide throw on Jason Bourgeois’s grounder. Fortunately, Kershaw quickly induces Sean Rodriguez into an inning ending double play and that’s it.

Gordon making another error, his speciality-Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

In the bottom of the third, Puig immediately doubles down the left field line without a throw. Ethier’s fly to right allows Puig to tag up to third. With one out, the Tampa Bay infield moves in. A.J. Ellis’s sac fly to center scores Puig and the Dodgers now lead 4-0. There actually could have been a squeeze play on but apparently Puig missed the sign. No really, it’s true.

Kershaw continues his manhandling of the Rays in the fourth. Myers and Longoria both whiff, and Ethier makes a great diving shoestring catch on Zobrist’s sinking blooper to shallow center. Hellickson is removed after only four frames. Left hander Alex Torres enters the game and gives up a bunt single to Gordon. Kershaw’s sacrifice attempt gets Gordon thrown out at second. Crawford follows with a walk. M.Ellis is called out on strikes with a borderline pitch. Gonzo bangs a two-run double off the wall, to give the Dodgers a 6-0 lead. Puig is intentionally walked. But Ethier whiffs to end the frame.

Why cant we beat the Dodgers? I wear dorky glasses! That should be enough right?-Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Kershaw gives up his first hit and run of the game in the top of the fifth. Escobar’s line drive single to left is bumbled by Crawford allowing Escabar to go to second. That breaks up the no-hitter darnit. Roberts and Lobaton ground out. Pinch-hitter Sam Fuld triples into the corner in right. Puig makes a diving attempt but the ball gets by him. The Rays score and the Dodgers’ lead is 6-1.

Kershsaw retires the side in order in the top of the sixth. Myers grounds into a double play after Rodriguez reached on the second throwing error of the game charged to Gordon. Longoria whiffs for the third out.

Yasiel Puig-Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

In the bottom of the sixth, Crawford’s infield single and a two-run home run from M.Ellis makes it an 8-1 Dodger lead.  Kershaw pitches another scoreless inning in the seventh, and we move to the eighth.

Lobaton walks to lead-off and maybe Kershaw is getting tired. Loney singles, and Gordon screws up another play leading to his third error of the night. Kershaw whiffs Rodriguez. Myers flies out to Crawford in the let field corner to plate a run, and it’s 8-2 Dodgers. Longoria grounds into a force and the Dodgers are good to go.

Move to the top of the ninth now with the Dodgers ahead 8-2. With a six run lead, it’s a situation that screams Carlos Marmol. Zobrist lines out to Ethier. Escobar grounds out, and matt Joyce is called out on strikes. The Dodgers win! Final score of 8-2.

The beat goes on for the Dodgers. The Mets come into town for a three game series to wrap up the home stand. Tomorrow night’s winning pitcher Ricky Nolasco will go up against Met’s rookie right hander Jenrry Mejia at 7:05 PM. Be there or be square guys! Go Blue!