Dodgers 14 Rockies 1: Thanks For Nothing, SD

The Dodgers moved closer to clinching with a win in game three against the Rockies.

The Dodgers did their part, taking down the Rockies in game three. However, they didn’t get the help they needed to clinch the division.

Dodgers Starter

So, it looks like Clayton Kershaw is back to being CLAYTON KERSHAW.

Usually in the “Dodgers Starter” section, I focus on innings that the opposing team scored on. Or innings where the Dodgers’ starter was in trouble.

Kershaw was in trouble in the fourth inning, when Nolan Arenado broke up his no hitter with a two-out infield single. Kershaw, the warrior he is, battled out of the jam with a lineout.

The struggling Kershaw even gave up a double in the fifth inning. However, Stephen Cardullo was left at second after a strikeout and a groundout.

Arenado, the pesky soul, led off the seventh inning with a single. It’s been a while since I wrote about the seventh inning in the starter section of the recap. Kershaw got a strike-him-out throw-him-out double play and another strikeout to end the seventh and end his outing.

In all, this is the Kershaw we’re all used to seeing. He made 91 pitches in seven shutout innings, sprinkling three hits throughout his outing. He didn’t walk a batter (obviously) and struck out six, giving him 168 strikeouts and 10 walks this season. There are no words for that.

Dodgers Offense

It’s shocking to me how bad the offense can be at Coors, but how great they can be in LA.

The Dodgers had an eventful second inning. The first three batters reached base (two singles and a walk), and Joc Pederson hit a 3-1 single to score two runs. A bunt and a walk re-loaded the bases, and a fielders’ choice scored a third run. Another single gave the Dodgers a four-run inning.

The Rockies gift-wrapped a pair of runs for the Dodgers in the fourth. After Pederson walked and Kershaw bunted him over, Chase Utley hit a fly ball to left that Ryan Raburn forgot to catch. Raburn did a nice job recovering from the error and getting the ball home before Pederson, but catcher Tony Wolters also forgot to catch the ball and Pederson scored.

Utley’s flyout should have been the second out, and the inning would have ended when Corey Seager flew out. However, that flyout ended up moving Utley to third, and Utley scored on a Justin Turner single to make it 6-0.

In the fifth, Josh Reddick doubled off the wall and Pederson was intentionally walked with two outs to bring up Kershaw. Kershaw knocked a single to help himself and give the Dodgers a seventh run.

The Dodgers also manufactured a run in the sixth inning, as two walks and a single plated an eighth run.

Just for insurance, Adrian Gonzalez added a bases-loaded single to make it 10-0. Another walk loaded the bases, and Reddick hit a ball very far for a grand slam and a 14-0 lead. There’s a chance Reddick isn’t actually the worst hitter in the world, August commenters.

Dodgers Bullpen

Jesse Chavez relieved Kershaw and inherited a 14-run lead. Chavez gave up a homer to Pat Valaika, the first of his major league career.

Adam Liberatore got the ninth. He allowed a pair of two-out singles, but closed the Rockies out.

Other Stuff

The Padres started the day useless, as they were down 3-0 to the Padres in the first inning. They were down 6-0, but came back off Madison Bumgarner and tied it at six. They became useless again in extras, giving up three in the 10th to give the Giants a win.

Next: Chemistry Key to a Playoff Run

A Padre win would have given the Dodgers the NL West. Instead, they’ll have to wait until tomorrow at the earliest to celebrate. For the Dodgers to not win the division, they’d have to lose their remaining seven games and the Giants would have to win their remaining seven. A Dodger win or Giant loss tomorrow gives the Dodgers the West with Vin Scully calling the game, which is my only request.

Brandon McCarthy will make his return from the DL tomorrow in the finale against the Rockies. Tyler Anderson starts for Colorado. He is a lefty, so I also really wanted the clinch tonight to see what their hangover lineup against a lefty would look like.