Dodgers Make Late Rally, Clinch National League West Title, YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

So you are all probably wondering if the Dodgers did it, for those who missed the game. Did the Dodgers finally clinch the NL West division crown this afternoon with a win over the aggravating Dbacks?  Did they? Did they?!! Well…….Oh come on guys, I have to do it. I have to set-up all the particulars first. (teaser, the Dodgers won)

Don Mattingly rolled out an all right handed lineup to square off against lefty Wade Miley, without Gonzo. apparently he had a cramp in his leg. (Hairston played at first) The Dodgers were really counting on a good start from Ricky Nolasco who generally pitches very well against the Snakes. Well that did not happen, as Nolasco turned in a stinker. The right hander allowed six runs on nine hits through five innings, and whiffed five. Although all six of the runs were scored in a nightmare of a third inning. But the Dodgers would rally after taking a 3-0 lead, and then Nolasco metling down to give up six runs in the third inning to put the Dodgers down 6-3. The Dodgers would rally in grand style, first to tie, and then to take the lead.

For the Dodgers it was Hanley Ramirez who put the Dodger’s on his back and carried them. Not surprising as we know that the Dodgers can’t win without Hanley in the lineup. The lovable shortstop blasted two home runs, (A three-run shot and a solo job), and collected four hits and four runs driven in. A.J. Ellis had three hits and a huge home run in the eighth that gave the Dodgers the lead.

The Dodgers bullpen of Howell, Brian Wilson, and yes even League helped somehow keep the Snakes from scoring with four innings of scoreless ball. Jansen fittingly closed it out with a scoreless ninth, and yes the Dodgers finally clinched the division title.

The Dodgers after being up from Hanley’s first homer, clawed their way back into the game. They got back-to-back doubles from Uribe and Van Slyke, and then a Michael Young Sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth. Hanley’s second homer came in the seventh, and A.J.’s gave the Dodgers the lead in the top of the eighth.

Hanley blasted two home runs tonight-Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The game starts with the Dodgers not doing much in the top of the first. There was a Hanley Ramirez single with two outs, but nothing more against Miley. Nolasco of course had some bottom of the first inning trouble by plunking Goldschmidt, and a Martin Prado single, but Nolasco pitches out of it.

The second innings see the same type of outcomes. Each team got one man on base respectively but was not able to score. The Dodgers had a Scott Van Slyke walk in their frame, while the Snakes had Gerrardo Parra reach on a Hanley error.

The Dodgers break through in the top of the third, as Miley loses it and a walkapalooza ensues. Miley walks Nolasco, and Puig to start the frame. Then Hairston’s blooper falls in for a hit down inside the right field foul line, but Puig was walking back to first base, and held up thinking the ball might be caught, allowing Parra to force him out at second. So instead of the bases loaded and none out, there was now first and third with one out. Hanley then absolutely crushes one several rows into the left field bleachers to give the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. The three-run shot was Hanley’s nineteenth of the season.

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

But this is the Dodgers here, and Nolasco utterly collapses taking a steamy dump all over the mound while allowing the Dbacks to score six runs in the third frame. Eaton, and Pollack single. Goldschmidt of course with a ground-rule double over the wall in right. That scored one. Goldschmidt just has to be always involved in some annoying way. Prado triples into the corner in right field. Puig bobbles the ball, of course. After Hill whiffs, Montero singles home Prado. Gregorius’s force at second sets up a Parra double, and then pitcher Wade Miley’s double to left scores both runners. That makes it a 6-3 Arizona lead.

The Doddgers waste an A.J. double in the fourth, and then just have to leave Nolasco in as there is nobody available to eat up some innings. This is with expanded rosters people. My head hurts. Nothing much happens until the sixth. Miley is hit for in the bottom of the fifth. Will Harris comes in to pitch the top of the sixth.

Uribe leads-off with a double, and Van Slyke follows suit. That makes it a 6-4 score. A.J. Ellis’s single advances Van Slyke to third. Gibson brings in Chaz Roe to pitch to Michael Young. Young’s sac fly barely scores Van Slyke, as he slides in just ahead of the throw. Dodgers close the gap to 6-5.

AJ! Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers barely escape the bottom of the sixth without giving up runs. Brandon League pitches and the entire inning was cringe worthy. After he whiffed Eaton, Pollack singles, and moves up to second on a wild pitch, League’s ninth of the year. Pollack takes third on Goldschmidt’s line out, and Prado’s fly out ends the inning.

The Dodgers tie it up in the top of the seventh. Hanley leads off by crushing his second home run of the game. The score is tied at 6-6. Kemp walks. The Dbacks bring in Josh Collmenter. M.Ellis is ordered to bunt, sigh. The sacrifice works, and Kemp advances to second. But Uribe flies out, and Van Slyke pops out, and we move to the bottom of the seventh.

League stays in to pitch to Hill, who sharply chops out to Uribe, who makes a nice play. Mattingly then removes League (Thank God), and in comes J.P. Howell. He gets Montero to ground out. And after a walk and a wild pitch, retires Parra, just in the nick of time, with Goldschmidt lurking.

The Dodgers use the long ball again in the top of the eighth, their prefered method of attack, and take the lead. A.J. Ellis homers to right to give the Dodgers a 7-6 lead. Pinch-hitter Michael Young singles. Gibson then makes yet another pitching change and brings in David Hernandez to replace Collmenter. However it backfires on the Dodgers as Yasiel Puig grounds into a double play. Schumaker’s grounder ends the frame. The Dodgers lead 7-6.

Wilson pitches a strong frame in the bottom of the eighth, retiring all three hitters he faced which included a whiff of Eaton. We move into the ninth.

Brad Ziegler is in to pitch the top of the ninth for the Snakes. He retires Hanley, Kemp,a nd Young. On to the moment of truth in the bottom of the ninth. Kenley Jansen enters to close out the division crown for the Dodgers. He whiffs Goldschmidt in what will mercifully be the last time we see him again this year. Thank God. prado whiffs for the second out. Hill flies out to left. It’s over! The Dodgers win the NL West Championship! The Dodgers fought hard, and finally came through. I am so relieved! Join us tomorrow night at 7:10 PM as the Dodgers take the party to San Diego!!! Throw some back tonight Dodger fans! Dodgers win the West!!!! Dodgers win the West!!! When the leaves turn brown the Dodgers will win the crown. Excuse me while I kiss the sky…..