Dodgers Begin July on a Winning Note

There is no middle ground in Dodger Baseball guys, they’re either really really good, or really really bad. Good teams find a way to win despite adversity, and that’s what the Dodgers have done this year. Nobody picked them to win, and they had played through a myriad of injuries, to post the best record in Baseball, and first place in the NL West up until a couple of weeks ago. All of this done without Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, second baseman Mark Ellis, and five pitchers.

Recently the injuries started to take their toll, and the Dodgers fell into one of their worst slumps in recent memory. Over the last 12 games the Dodgers were 1-12, went 33 innings in a row without scoring a run, and had only scored 17 runs total during that stretch. It was so bad they hadn’t even had a lead since last week.

Well tonight that finally came to and end as they avoided being swept at the hands of the New York Mets, finally winning in front of the home crowd by a score of 8-3. Ace Clayton Kershaw was tasked with the difficult job of breaking them out of their seven game losing streak. The last time the Dodgers lost seven in a row, was 2008, and they went on to win their next 12 of 13 that year.

Kershaw’s opposing pitcher was Dillon Gee, Met’s right hander who was 5-6 and 0-1 against the Dodgers. The Offense finally woke up from their long slumber to deliver 8 runs on seven hits. The Met’s defense helped of course with three errors, and the Dodgers also contributed two errors of their own as well (both from Gordon) Adam Kennedy, and Dee Gordon both had two hits each, and James Loney, yes James Loney, drove in two runs with a double and an RBI grounder. After the Met’s had scored a run in the top of the first, the Dodgers answered back with a run in the bottom half of the third. The Met’s took the lead by scoring two runs in the top of the third, thanks to two horrific Dee Gordon bumbling throws, that not even Loney himself could save. The Dodgers were sick of losing though, and tied it with two runs in the fifth, took the lead with one run in the sixth, and added four more runs in the bottom of the seventh. Clayton Kershaw picked up the win going seven innings only allowing one earned run, (the other two were unearned) three walks, and nine whiffs to earn his sixth win of the season. Dillon Gee took the loss and dropped to 5-7 on the year.

In the top of the first, Andre Torres was hit by a pitch, but Kershaw picks him off. That would prove important since Kershaw walks Ruben Tejada. David Wright singles advancing Tejada to second. Scott Hairston, brother of Jhair singles to left to score Tejada scores, but Bobby Abreu throws out Scotty Hairston trying to advance to second. Lucas Duda flies out to end the frame.

The Dodgers answered back with a run of their own in the bottom half of the first. A.J. Ellis doubles to center. After Abreu whiffs, Juan Rivera’s double to right field scores AJ, and the game is tied at 1-1.

Move to the top of the third. Dillon Gee the opposing pitcher walks. After Torres whiffs, Tejada singles Gee to second. David Wright hits what should have been an easy double play. Kennedy feeds to Gordon for the first out, but Gordon’s lousy side armed throw goes wide, and a run scores. Loney tries to argue with the ump, and almost forgets that there is a runner coming home, his throw to the plate is too lat4e, and the Mets break the tie and take the lead. Scott Hairston reaches on the second consecutive throwing error by Dee Gordon, (his MLB leading 17^th error) , and another run scores to make it 3-1 Mets. Dee would later atone.

In the bottom of the fifth, Tony Gwynn walks. The much maligned Juan Uribe hits what should have been an easy double play grounder, but second baseman Ronny Cedeno drops the ball, and everyone is safe. The Dodgers take advantage of the huge break. Kershaw sacrifices the runners to second and third. Gordon reaches on another Met’s error, charged to first baseman Justin Turner who also drops the ball. Do the Mets have butterfingers or something? Uribe scores, to make it 3-2. Dee Gordon records one of his three steals in the game, and he leads the majors with 27 steals. AJ’’s sac fly scores the tying run, and we’re all knotted up at 3-3.

In the bottom of the sixth, Rivera walks, and Adam Kennedy smacks a double down the line in right, that bounces up and over the low wall, to force Rivera back to third. Loney’s ground out scores Rivera, and the Dodgers take the lead 4-3. This is the first time the Dodgers have had a lead since June 24.

With Ramon Ramirez replacing Gee in the seventh, the Dodgers plated four runs to break it open. Gordon singles up the middle, and steals second. A.J. walks, and the Mets make pitching change bringing in Justin Hampson. Gordon steals third, and Abreu walks to load the bases. The Mets replace Hampson with Miguel Batista. Rivera’s little dribbler to the mound, is fielded by Bautista, he throws home, but catcher Mike Nickeas drops the throw, and the Dodgers add another run. Kennedy’s sac fly to left scores Abreu, and everyone’s favorite whipping boy James Loney doubles down the line, snapping his 0 for 28 slump, to score Rivera and the Dodgers lead 8-3.

Ronald Belisario and Kenley Jansen would close out the game for the Dodgers, and finally the Dodgers snap the streak, and get off the schnide, winning 8-3 to improve to 44-36. The Giants won, so we remain one game back for first place. However we do lead in the wild card race, so there is that.

The Reds will come into town for a three game st tomorrow night at 7PM. Homer Bailey will battle Chad Billingsley in the series opener. While we await more news on Andre Ethier’s status, Mark Ellis’s rehab is going well, and Matt Kemp is preparing to begin his rehab on Tuesday. Hopefully the June swoon is over. Let’s forget the last month and move on Dodger fans, there is still a lot of Baseball left, and we are still in a very good position. Join us tomorrow for more nightly Dodger coverage. It was nice to see Dodger Stadium rocking and cheering tonight! Enjoy the win Dodger fans, and don’t give up! Go Blue!