Los Angeles Dodgers Game Recaps: Guerrero Provides Tenth Inning Walk-Off Hit

During the McCarthy era there was threat of bombs in the air. While at Dodger Stadium on Monday night there were also bombs raining down upon us. That was the McCarthyism at Chavez Ravine tonight. Brandon McCarthy had the most confusing start of any Dodger pitcher I have ever seen. He was really good, and also really bad at the same time. None of that mattered much, as the Dodgers would rally from a four run deficit to scratch within one, then another rally to tie the score, and then finally won the game in the tenth inning with a walk-off by a score of 6-5. The walk-off hit was provided by Alex Guerrero off of left hander Tyler Olson.

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Mariners 5 6 0

Dodgers  6 9 0

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McCarthy’s final pitching line was seven innings five runs on six hits, no walks, and ten strikeouts. McCarthy allowed four home runs to the Mariners, which included three solo home runs. Two of those were hit by Nelson Cruz. McCarthy became the first MLB pitcher ever to throw seven innings, allow four home runs, and allow no walks and strike out ten batters. I don’t even know what to think of it.

His strikeout to walk ratios are great, but he better stop giving up so many home runs. There were five home runs in the game, the Dodgers hitting (Puig) one of them. The Mariners scored two runs in the top of the first inning when Robinson Cano singled, and beefed up slugger Nelson Cruz hit the first of his two home runs, a hook shot that landed inside the right field foul pole, landing over the low wall. Cruz had two home runs and three runs driven in on the night.

With Seattle up 2-0, the next two frames went quickly. McCarthy’s mound opponent left hander James Paxton would allow five runs on six hits as well, and strike out six. Paxton got started well, retiring nine of the first ten Dodger hitters.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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In the top of the fourth, Cruz hit his second home run, which was absolutely crushed. Then Corey Seager’s brother Kyle Seager hit a home run as well. That put the Mariners up by a 4-0 score.

The Dodgers would rally however. Yasiel Puig would single to start the bottom of the fourth. After Puig is erased on Adrian Gonzalez’s fielder’s choice, Kendrick would double Gonzo to third. Scott Van Slyke walked, and then made a very alert base running play. With the bases loaded, Guerrero (the future hero of this game) would hit a sacrifice fly to right. Van Slyke tags up to second on the throw home. The scoring fly ball plates Gonzo to make the score 4-1.

That would be key, as Pederson’s single to right scores them both. The two-run single makes the score 4-2 Seattle.

Unfortunately in the top of the fifth, Dustin Ackley would hit a solo home run, and the Mariners went up 5-3. The Dodgers would rally again to tie in the bottom half of the fifth.

Puig would hit his second home run of the season, a booming blast halfway up the left field pavilions. That cut the score to 5-4 Seattle. Then Gonzo doubles, and Kendrick’s single to right ties the game at 5-5!

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From the fifth inning until the tenth frame, neither team did anything on offense. The Dodgers had one hit, and the Mariners didn’t have any. The Dodgers used Yimi Garcia, Joel Peralta, and Pedro Baez to keep Seattle off the board. The Dodger bullpen preformed very well.

In the bottom of the tenth, Dominic Leone started the inning on the mound for Seattle. Andre Ethier’s lead-off double puts the Dodgers in great position for a walk-off. Puig grounds back to the box for the first out. The Mariners wisely walk Gonzalez intentionally to put runners at first and second. Kendrick then draws a walk to load the bases.

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That brought up Carl Crawford. Seattle hooks Leone and brings in soft tossing left hander Tyler Olson. The count goes full, but Crawford whiffs for the second out. Alex Guerrero is the next hitter, and battles Olson, seeing breaking ball after breaking ball. Olson finally throws a fastball and Guerrero promptly lines a base hit to right to win the game for the Dodgers! The Dodgers win 6-5!

You know I am beginning to think this Guerrero kid is pretty good. I’ve always thought Guerrero is very talented. Stacie and I saw him in spring training and were impressed.

Before the game the Dodgers finally announced the starting pitcher for Tuesday. It’s going to be left hander David Huff. A roster move needs to be made, so I am going to guess that Darwin Barney gets optioned. Only because Mattingly started him today and batted him lead-off. This smells like a “I’m sorry we have to cut you pity start” for poor Barney. I might be wrong though, so we will see tomorrow.

The Dodgers may not be able to pitch much so far this year, but this club sure can hit I tell you that. The Dodgers now improve to 4-3 on the season. The series continues with the middle game Tuesday night at 7:10 PM. Hisashi Iwakuma will counter David Huff.