Dee Gordon’s Speed Gives Dodgers San Francisco Sweep

The Dodgers increased their lead in the NL West to 1 1/2 games on Sunday evening after completing a three-game sweep against their rivals up in San Francisco. A three-run fifth inning off newly acquired Giant Jake Peavy gave the Dodgers a one-run edge which ultimately yielded then the 4-3 victory. Dee Gordon‘s speed was the difference maker in the close game as he scored the eventual winning run in the fifth.

The Dodgers used to have trouble against right-hander Jake Peavy, but that was years ago. This is a new team than the one Peavy had once faced, and Peavy is not the same pitcher he once was. In his Giants debut, Peavy allowed 4 runs on 6 hits with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks on 102 pitches through 6 frames. Peavy picked up his tenth loss of the season, and he has only mustered one win thus far in 2014.

Hyun-jin Ryu once again found success against the pumpkin colored foes, and he claimed his twelfth victory on the year after going 6 innings and allowing 3 runs on 6 hits with 7 strikeouts and a walk on 103 pitches. Both starting pitchers shared similar lines, but the Dodgers’ offense and bullpen came through with the support Ryu was looking for.

Dodgers 4 6 0

Giants 3 7 2

WP- Ryu (12-5)

LP- Peavy (1-10)

S- Jansen (30)

HR- Posey (12)

Since Don Mattingly got on board my campaign for Yasiel Puig to play center field for the last three games, the Dodgers are undefeated. Coincidence? I think not. Puig has been great in center as I expected, and he made another fine catch out in the “meadow” as Vin Scully describes the Wild Horse’s pasture out in center. Although Puig went hitless, he did draw a walk in the fifth which resulted in a run on the RBI single by Hanley Ramirez.

Hanley continues to swing the bat well of late, and he collected two hits on the night including the clutch RBI single in the fifth. Matt Kemp also had two base hits, and both Carl Crawford and Juan Uribe also drove in a run each. Crawford’s RBI triple in

Jul 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) attempts to tag out Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez (13) during the fifth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

the fifth gave the Dodgers their third run during the rally.

The Giants scored in the third after Ryu led off the frame by walking Dan Uggla. Gregor Blanco singled with two outs, and Hanley Ramirez couldn’t grab a Hunter Pence chopper which ended up over the mound.

The Dodgers tied it up in the fourth thanks to the second error of the game by Dan Uggla. A grounder hit by Hanley went through Uggla’s legs. Crawford hit into a force play, but was able to beat out the throw to first and avoid the double play. Kemp singled. Juan Uribe then also singled bringing in the run with Hanley who beat out Michael Morse‘s weak throw from left field. Hit all the balls to Morse in left!

The Giants once again scored in the bottom half of the fourth. Morse and Adam Duvall hit typical Giant soft singles which found their way through. Brandon Crawford singled to left allowing Morse to score on Carl Crawford’s weak arm. Even Stephen, I guess when it comes to weak left fielder arms.

Dee Gordon’s speed was crucial in the Dodger win and successful fifth inning. Gordon reached first base safely on a dropped third strike. A second wild pitch by Peavy with Adrian Gonzalez at-bat allowed Gordon to advance to third after taking second on the Puig walk. Gordon took full advantage of the visibly flustered Peavy by coming home on yet another San Francisco blunder as Gonzo whiffed and Posey subsequently makes a very poor throw which Peavy has to recover. Posey’s throw comes on the heels of the Giants having to play him behind the plate more after Hector Sanchez suffered a concussion due to a Gonzo foul ball during the series leading to a 7-day DL stint. Let’s just say Peavy was a bit peeved after that Posey throw.

Buster Posey hit a solo homerun off Hyun-jin Ryu in the bottom of the fifth, but that would be all from the bats of the Giants for

Jul 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu (99) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

the remainder of the game. J.P. Howell, Brian Wilson, and Kenley Jansen all pitched a scoreless and hitless frame each giving the Dodgers the series sweep. Kenley Jansen picked up his 30th save of the season, and he is tied for third place in the league for most saves alongside Francisco Rodriguez of Milwaukee. He’s also fourth in the league with 66 strikeouts.

The Dodgers improve to 59-47 on the year. Monday is a scheduled off day before they begin a eight-game homestand.  A three-game series with the Atlanta Braves opens on Tuesday night. Josh Beckett will counter old friend Aaron Harang.