Matt Kemp Scratched; Dodgers Shut Out

Dodgers 0 3 0

Rockies 1 5 1

WP- Nicasio (9-9)

LP- Greinke (15-4)

S- Brothers (18)

Game 161 did not have the same fireworks that 160 had the night prior. In fact the Dodgers were shutout and only had 3 hits against Juan Nicasio and company. A Michael Young double, a ground-rule double by Juan Uribe, and a Hanley single. That was all for the Dodgers offense on Saturday night. Zack Greinke pitched great, and his only bad inning was in the fourth when he allowed one run on two doubles by the Rockies.

Zack Greinke finishes the season 15-4 with a 2.63 ERA. Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Kemp was a late scratch after he reportedly injured his ankle or leg while jogging during warm up. We are not sure how serious it is, but it was said to be some sort of soreness in the ankle. From there, things didn’t get any better. The Dodgers weren’t able to do anything with the bat whatsoever. 11 runs the previous night. No runs tonight.

Zack Greinke takes the mound for the Dodgers for his final start of the regular season. He easily retires the side in order in the top of the first. Matt Kemp, who was penciled in the original lineup, is a late scratch. Skip Schumaker is in center field and Nick Buss in right field. Kemp was scratched for precautionary reasons with left ankle soreness.

Juan Nicasio also pitches a 1-2-3 inning in the home half the first.

Troy Tulowitzki strikes out in the top of the second. Todd Helton grounds out. Juan Uribe handles a chopper to third from Nolan Arenado to end the inning.

Scott Van Slyke draws a two-out walk in the bottom of the second. Michael Young slaps a double to right field, and the Dodgers have runners at second and third with Chili Buss up at the plate. Buss grounds out to first, and that’s that.

Jordan Pacheco drops a long single to center to lead off the third. Skip Schumaker is unable to catch up to the ball as it bounces past him. Jonathan Herrera‘s grounder to second moves the runner over to second. Juan Nicasio strikes out on a bunt attempt. Charlie Blackmon beats out a hard hit grounder to short which is a really tough play for Hanley. Blackmon has himself an infield single, and Pacheco advances to third. Charlie Culberson strikes out swinging, and Greinke pitches out of the jam.

Nicasio shuts the Dodgers down in the third. Greinke and A.J. Ellis both strike out.

The Dodgers could not hit Nicasio. Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Tulo strokes a double over a leaping Uribe and down the left field line with one out in the top of the fourth. Todd Helton strikes out on a pitch out of the strike zone. The Rockies cash in Tulo as Arenado doubles past a sliding Van Slyke. Van Slyke is shaken up after slamming down on the grass on the catch attempt. Pacheco strikes out on a check swing to end the inning, but the Rockies score one on two doubles.

Juan Uribe bounces a ground-rule into the stands in the right field corner with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. Scott Van Slyke strikes out, and the Dodgers strand the tying run at second.

Greinke sends the Rox down 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth.

Nicasio also sends the Dodgers back to the dugout consecutively in the bottom of the fifth while striking out Buss and Greinke.

More outs are recorded in the top of the sixth as Greinke continues to roll over the Rockies. They once again are retired in order.

In the bottom of the sixth, A.J. Ellis reaches on a fielding error by Jonathan Herrera as the ball bounces off his glove. Hanley Ramirez singles to right, and A.J. takes third. That’s going to be all for Nicasio who comes out for Josh Outman. The lefty promptly walks Adrian Gonzalez, and there will be another pitching change as Uribe comes up with the bases loaded. Adam Ottavino comes in from the Colorado bullpen. Uribe quickly fouls out to Pacheco, and that fell flat. Scott Van Slyke flies out, and the Dodgers squander a perfect bases loaded opportunity. They will not be able to do this in the NLDS and have any hope of winning. They will need timely hitting.

Juan Nicasio pitches 5 1/3 innings and allowed only 3 hits while striking out 7 and walking one on 103 pitches.

Scott Van Slyke rolls over trying to catch the ball in left field. Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Ronald Belisario will pitch the top of the seventh in relief of Greinke. Zack Greinke pitched 6 innings while allowing 1 run on 4 hits with 7 strikeouts and no walks on 90 pitches. Greinke finishes the season with a .328 batting average which is the best for a LA Dodger pitcher in a season. Todd Helton grounds out, and the retiree goes 0-for-3 on the night. Arenado singles for his second hit in the game. Josh Rutledge will come out to bat for Colorado. Rutledge grounds out to Uribe who backhands the ball at third and touches the bag to end the inning.

Matt Belisle will start the bottom of the seventh for the Rockies. Michael Young strikes out swinging. Buss grounds out. Then there will be a token Yasiel Puig appearance. Puig, pinch-hitting without a shin guard, strikes out swinging.

Paco Rodriguez will pitch the top of the eighth, in for his 76th game. Paco strikes out Charlie Blackmon on a good change. Culberson grounds out. Corey Dickerson is also struck out by Paco, and that’s great to see from the lefty.

Chad Bettis takes over in the bottom of the eighth for Colorado. Skip Schumaker lines out. A.J. Ellis strikes out swinging. Hanley Ramirez draws a walk with two outs. Dee Gordon will come in to pinch-run for Hanley finally. Let’s hope Mattingly sits Hanley out until Thursday. The Rockies will bring in Rex Brothers to pitch to Gonzo. Gonzo grounds out, and that squashes any hope of scoring.

Brian Wilson will pitch the top of the ninth for the Dodgers. Tulowitzki lines out to Chili Buss in right. Todd Helton grounds out. Arenado grounds out to second, and Wilson pitches a perfect frame.

Juan Uribe will lead-off the bottom of the ninth. Rex Brothers walks Uribe. Van Slyke disappoints again by striking out again. Young flies out, and Mark Ellis will pinch-hit. Ellis grounds out, and that’s that. The Dodgers drop game two and fall to 92-69.

Tomorrow the final game of the season will feature Hyun-jin Ryu versus Jeff Francis at 1:10 p.m.