Los Angeles Dodgers Game Recaps: Scotty Van Walk-off! Van Slyke’s Clutch Blast Drowns Fish

News flash, this is not the 2014 Dodgers. It’s a new year, and a brand new club, and this year’s Dodger’s squad does not quit. No matter what the situation, or the score, the Dodgers never say die.

The Dodgers came from behind after Yimi Garcia blew a 2-1 lead in the top of the ninth, to score three runs in the bottom of the ninth thanks to Scott Van Slyke’s clutch three-run home run against Marlin’s “closer” Steve Cishek. Not only did Van Slyke blast the game winning homer, he also gunned down Christian Yelich at the plate in the top of the seventh inning. That throw preserved what was then a 1-1 tie score. He also had three hits on the night, and scored twice. Love that beard!

Marlins   3 9 1

Dodgers 5 7 0

WP-Howell-2-1

LP-Cishek-1-3

HR-Ozuna-3-Yelich-1-Van Slyke-2

Tootblan-Pederson-3

Garcia had his first setback of the season, but Van Slyke’s three-run bomb bailed him out. Before that though this was a back and forth game that featured two blown saves, and two lead changes in the final inning.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers returned home from the frozen wasteland of Colorado to open a three game set against the Miami Marlins. The game featured the return of second baseman Dee Gordon to Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers fans gave him a nice ovation in the top of the first inning during his first at-bat.

The pitching match-up featured Tom Koehler versus Zack Greinke. Both pitchers would receive no-decisions. Greinke was looking to become the first Dodger pitcher to start the season 6-0 since Kaz Ishii did it back in 2002 I believe.

Unfortunately Greinke would not get the win, but in the beginning it was looking like he would, as he breezed through the first six innings. However he ran into trouble in the seventh. Greinke was unable to hold a 1-0 lead in that seventh inning. Greinke still only allowed one run on six hits over seven frames. He whiffed five and walked two.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

His mound opponent, Koehler was equally as good, and the Dodgers couldn’t figure him out. However he allowed a run in the one inning that gives him trouble, the fourth frame. According to Vin, Koehler had an ERA of over 20.00 in that fourth inning. Koehler pitched six innings, allowing one run on three hits, with five whiffs. He also walked four.

Joc Pederson’s costly tootblan in the fifth inning almost screwed the Dodgers, but he also drove in a run in the fourth with an RBI single. The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Kendrick doubled, Gonzalez flared a single to center, and Turner’s fielder’s choice grounder scored Kendrick to put the Dodgers ahead 1-0.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers could have had an extra run in the fifth frame, but Pederson’s tootblan cost them. Van Slyke had doubled over Stanton’s head, and advanced to third on Greinke’s sacrifice bunt. Pederson walked which put runners at first and third. Rollins hit a fly ball to right that Stanton had to catch over his shoulder, but Pederson was way off the bag. Stanton fired to first to throw him out and double up the Dodgers. Bad base running from Joc. According to the tootblan tracker, that is Joc’s third tootblan of the season.

Greinke had been cruising, and he had only allowed a two-out single to Mike Morse in the second, and a walk to Gordon in the third. Gordon was promptly thrown out trying to steal by Yasmani Grandal. Which was of course dee-lightful.

Koehler was dealing as well. The Dodgers didn’t have a hit until Kendrick’s double in the fourth. The Marlins tied the score in the seventh inning. Greinke had nearly hit Stanton with a pitch, but gets him to ground to third for the first out. Greinke would look visibly upset, and later said in the postgame interviews that those pitches slipped out of his hand. Ok whatever. Anyways, Miami’s center fielder Marcell Ozuna drills a home run to center that ties the score at 1-1. That’s the third homer of the year for Ozuna. Then Yelich and Morse get consecutive singles, and Greinke looks to be on the ropes.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After a walk to Realmuto loaded the bases, things looked bleak for poor Greinke and the Dodgers. Thank goodness game hero Scott Van Slyke comes to the rescue. Hechavarria slices a liner to left that Van Slyke catches on the run, and fires to the plate to prevent Yelich from scoring, who had tagged up from third. The play was close, but Grandal makes a great tag on the shoulder to get the double play, and get the Dodgers out of the inning. The Fish do not challenge the play, and the Dodgers are out of the jam.

The boys in blue then took the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Right hander Nick Masset comes into pitch for the Fish. FYI, Masset is the guy who gave up the Manny Ramirez bobblehead grand slam back in 2009.

With one out, Van Slyke singles to left, and takes second after Yelich bumbles the ball for an error. After pinch-hitter Alex Guerrero pops out, Pederson’s base hit up the middle scores Van Slyke to put the Dodgers ahead 2-1!

Adam Liberatore, and Chris Hatcher pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and the Dodgers went down in order in the bottom half of the eighth. We move to the top of the ninth with the Dodgers leading 2-1.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Garcia comes on to close out the game. At first things looked great, as Yimi whiffed Stanton for the first out. Then disaster struck. Ozuna walked, and Yelich, (who had just been activated off the DL the other day) blasted a two-run opposite field shot to give the Fish a shocking 3-2 lead. Sometimes Baseball happens guys.

Morse and Realmuto singled. Hechavarria flies out to left, but Ichiro walked to load the bases. J.P. Howell had to come on and get the last out. He retired Gordon on a fly ball to left.

We’ve got eight innings in the book, and it’s a best seller ~ Vin Scully

The Dodgers faced Miami closer Steve Cishek in the bottom of the ninth. The Fish reliever had an ERA of over 8, and has been struggling this season. The Dodgers were able to capitalize. After Turner flied out to right, Grandal walked, and Ethier singled. That brought up Van Slyke who blasted a walk-off home run over the center field wall! The Dodgers win it in dramatic fashion 5-3!

What a game! The Dodgers improve to 14-2 at home, and 21-10 overall. The Marlin’s ninth inning struggles continue.

Game notes– Adrian Gonzalez went 1 for 3 with a single to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. Rollins went 0 for 4 with two whiffs, and is now batting .165. Scott Van Slyke had three hits in a 3 for 4 night, and drives in three of the Dodger’s five runs. He also scored two. Despite not getting the win, Greinke’s ERA lowers to 1.52.

The series continues on Tuesday night, as former Dodger Dan Haren makes his Chavez Ravine return. The Dodgers haven’t officially announced a starter, but Mike Bolsinger is expected to counter in game two at 7:10 PM.

Go Blue!