Dodger Bats Awaken, Game Ends On Review Play, Dodgers Hang On To Win

It was like a Friday night feel at Dodger Stadium on a Tuesday evening, as the Dodgers opened up a three game series against the San Diego Padres.

The Dodgers were ready to move on from their dreadful sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers. Although the pesky Padres never make things easy, do they? They’ve had one of the best records in the second half in all of MLB. They’ve called up some of their young prospects from the minors, and those kids can hit. Although the kiddies can’t play much defense. Defense was the Padre’s undoing all evening long as the Dodger’s bats awoke to lead the way to an 8-6 win.

Padres   6 14 2

Dodgers 8 9 1

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LP-Kennedy-9-11

SV-Jansen-35

HR-Gyorko-9-Crawford-5

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers needed to score many runs to out score Kevin Correia’s mediocre pitching. Although to be honest, he wasn’t that bad after recovering from the usual horrendous first inning. Correia tossed five innings allowing four earned runs on eight hits. He whiffed six and walked one. His only bad inning came in the first, when he allowed a single to Almonte, a walk to Seth Smith, and then a three-run home run to Jedd Gyorko. Correia has been pretty decent jokes aside. So the Dodgers had to rally from an early deficit. They did and then some.

The Dodger Bullpen did their usual gagfest in the late innings, but fortunately the Dodgers were able to hang on for the win. The game ended on a relay throw tag out at third base, that was replay reviewed. Yasiel Puig made a cannon throw to Adrian Gonzalez on Gyorko’s single into center. Gonzo threw back to third to tag out Almonte, (who had strayed too far off of third base) to end the game.

With San Diego up 3-0, the Dodgers were able to tee off on opposing starter Ian Kennedy. There is nothing better than watching the Dodgers pound on Kennedy. The boys in blue scored two in the second, three more in the fourth, and  then added one in the fifth, and two in the seventh.

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers got consecutive hits from Crawford, Turner, and Arruebarrena in the bottom of the second. The Dodgers used two doubles, two walks, and two fielder’s choice and a throwing error to plate three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Crawford’s RBI single in the fifth gave the Dodgers a 6-4 lead at the time.

The Dodgers would add two more thanks to a two-run home run from Carl Crawford. The perfect storm was the offensive attacker of the night, going 3 for 3 with a home run, and  three runs drive in. He also stole a base and walked.

The Dodgers bullpen took things the rest of the way. Jamey Wright, J.P. Howell, Brandon League, and Kenley Jansen limited the Padres to just two more runs, despite Kenley’s little ninth inning meltdown. For the Dodgers that’s good.

Speaking of the Padres, they got no love from their gloves tonight. The San Diego outfield misplayed several hard hit balls, and the infield committed two throwing errors. It was like there was that yakity-yak song playing whenever San Diego’s defense was on the field. Check it out. They did this….

And this….

And this too……

Newly called up Erisbel Arruebarrena had a good game as well. He collected an RBI single, a walk, and made several nice defensive plays.

This was a rocking game. Check out the highlights for yourself!……

The Dodgers give up their daily first inning runs, which normally dooms them to a loss. Correia is only able to get lead-off man Yangervis Solarte to fly out to Kemp, before he gives up the runs. Abraham Almonte doubles, and the Dodgers pitch around nemesis Seth Smith to put runners on first and second. Then second baseman Jedd Gyorko Spanks a Correia meatball over the center field wall for a three-run home run. It’s 3-0 San Diego before anyone has gotten to their seats. Shocking. NOT!

Correia does settle in and get the last two outs, but the Dodgers are behind early again.

Kennedy sets the Dodgers down in order 123 in the bottom of the first. Gordon taps softly back to the box and takes a tumble as he and kennedy reach the base at the same time. He’s ok but of course he’s out. Then Yasiel Puig is called out on strikes, and Gonzalez flies out.

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The padres threaten again in the top of the second, but Correia gets out of it with Kennedy’s inability to lay down a bunt, and a key double play. Consecutive singles from Rene  Rivera, and Alexi Amarista make me want to throw a shoe. But Kennedy whiffs while attempting to sacrifice, and Solarte grounds into the inning ending 6-4-3 double play.

The Dodgers rally back in the bottom of the second. After Kemp grounds out, Crawford singles to left. Justin Turner’s line drive double to the gap scores Crawford, as the Dodgers get on the board. Crawford got a perfect read on that hit.

Then new shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena singles in Turner to cut the score to 3-2 San Diego. The Padres were lucky to get out of the inning. A.J. Ellis’s line drive is snared by third baseman Solarte, and then Correia whiffs.

In the top of the third, Almonte singles, but Seth Smith whiffs as A.J. throws out Almonte trying to steal. Then Correia gets first inning bomber Gyorko swinging to end the inning. In the bottom half of the third, Gordon whiffs. Puig whiffs, and Gonzo hits back to the box.

Correia retires the side in order in the top of the fourth. Kemp opens the bottom of the fourth with a double to left. Crawford battles and draws a walk to put runners at first and second. Then Turner mr. clutch drives a double to deep center that bounces off Almonte’s glove. Kemp comes around to score and Crawford goes to third. The Dodgers tie it up at 3-3!

Arruebarrena walks, which brings up A.J. with the bases loaded. A.j.’s sacrifice fly to right scores Crawford to break the tie and give the Dodgers a 4-3 lead! Then back to back fielder’s choice plays and a throwing error gives the Dodgers another run. The first one sees a strange play as Turner and Solarte get tangled up at third as the ball gets away from Solarte.  Correia tries to bunt and Goebbert throws to third to nail the lead runner, but the throw is wide, and during the mayhem Turner scores! Dodgers lead 5-3! Another fielder’s choice and a tapper from Puig ends the inning.

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

In the top of the fifth, Correia easily gets the first two outs, and then in grand typical 2014 Dodger fashion gives it right back. Arruebarrena makes a great play to throw out Amarista’s grounder. Kennedy whiffs, and then comes the runs. It’s always with two outs. Then Solarte singles. Almonte singles, and Smith singles in Solarte to cut the Dodger lead to 5-4. Although if not for Puig making a good play on Solarte’s single, it could have been worse.

There’s a wild pitch as usual, which costs the Dodgers a base. Correia has to battle out of it. He whiffs Gyorko swinging to preserve the lead.

Kemp doubles off of Smith’s glove at the wall in left field in the bottom of the fifth. Crawford’s single to center scores Kemp who slides in just ahead of the throw. Dodgers lead 6-4!

Jamey Wright relieves Correia in the top of the sixth. Correia allows four earned runs on eight hits with six whiffs and one walk over five frames. He leaves with the lead and a chance to earn a win. Wright gives up a single to Goebbert, but whiffs Rymer Liriano for the first out. Rivera’s grounder moves Goebbert over to second. Amarista flies out to right.

In the bottom of the sixth, right hander Nick Vincent takes over for Kennedy and sets the Dodgers down in order. The highlight of that inning is watching Jamey Wright bat for himself and whiff. Dodgers lead 6-4 after six frames.

Wright back out on the mound in the top of the seventh. Pinch-hitter Chris Nelson whiffs. There’s an infield single to Solarte, and a force out on Almonte. Mattingly hooks Wright and brings in Left hander J.P. Howell to face the dangerous Seth Smith. Howell whiffs him on a full count third strike.

Right hander Dale Thayer is on to pitch the bottom of the seventh. Puig singles, and is awarded second on a throwing error from Solarte. After Gonzo’s grounder advances him to third, Kemp chases a high fastball for the second out. San Diego hooks Thayer and in comes Alex Torres, a left hander to face Crawford. Bad move. Crawford jacks a two-run shot to right! Dodgers go up 8-4!

Howell stays out for the top of the eighth. Well, for the first hitter. Gyorko grounds out. Exit Howell, and enter Brandon League. He gets pinch-hitter Tommy Medica to flies to deep right. Then Liriano singles, and pinch-hitter Yasmani Grandal’s double scores him to make it an 8-5 score. League does get Amarista to ground to third, on a nice play from Rojas.

Move to the top of the ninth. Kenley Jansen is on to finish it. He walks Will Venable, but gets Solarte to foul out. Venable takes second on defensive indifference. Almonte’s bunt back to the mound is misplayed, as Kenley throws the ball away. The throwing error allows Venable to score, and Almonte to go to second. After Smith flies to left for the second out. Gyorko singles to center as Almonte goes to third, but he rounds third to far. Puig makes another great throw into the infield to Gonzo, who throws to third.

Turner

Rojas tags out Almonte to end the game!

Or does he? San Diego has the play reviewed, but the New York office upholds the call on the field. The game is over, Dodgers win!

The Dodgers improve to 71-56 with the win and increase their lead to four games in the NL West, as the Giants are still in rain delay at Chicago. The series continues Wednesday night with game two. Old friend Eric Stults will counter Roberto Hernandez at 7:10 PM.