Embattled Dodgers Ready To Rumble With Snakes

Dodgers Lineup vs. Arizona

Clayton Kershaw-2-0 vs. Patrick Corbin-1-0

After the cowardly and unprovoked attack on Dodger Ace Zack Greinke, by San Diego thug Carlos Quentin in last night’s game, the boys in blue are still angry and the resentment continued late into the night even after the game was over.

Apparently the bad blood continued to spill out after the game as Matt Kemp had words with Carlos Quentin in the tunnel while the team was boarding their bus to leave town. The two had to be separated, after Kemp questioned Quentin for his thug like actions. Meanwhile we wait to hear word on Greinke’s fractured collar bone as he heads back to Los Angeles for examination.

You’re going down San Diego, one way or another, according to Jhair-Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers are still reeling after Greinke was viciously attacked by Quentin, after being hit by a 3-2 pitch during the bottom of the sixth inning of last night’s 3-2 Dodger win. Quentin was leading off the inning, and was hit by a Greinke full count pitch in the arm. It was obviously unintentional. I think Greinke might have cursed at himself, for ya know putting the tying run on base in a one-run game. Somehow in Quentin’s warped like mind, he thought he was being targeted. He took a few steps towards first base before charging the mound, and tackling Greinke to the ground. Greinke wisely turned his pitching shoulder away from the collision. What resulted was a benches clearing brawl lasting for several minutes leaving Dodger land and the rest of Baseball stunned by the dastardly actions of one childish man.

What was even more surprising is reading after the game was over that Greinke had actually been ejected. I have no idea why Birdman was tossed. Of course Greinke would have been unable to pitch with a broken clavicle anyways.

Quentin was also ejected, along with Matt Kemp, and Jerry Hairston Jr. A report has been filed with the league, and Quentin should face a suspension. The question is for how long?

The Dodgers ended up winning the game and the series, thanks to Juan Uribe’s heroic pinch-hit solo home run in the bottom of the eighth frame. Matt Guerrier picked up the win last night after only making one pitch, and Kenley Jansen picked up his first save of the season. Remember the two teams play each other again in a three game series starting Monday night at Dodger Stadium.

So the embattled Dodgers leave San Diego and fly into Phoenix to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three game series. The Boys in Blue will try to go on without their injured right handed ace.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

For that the Dodgers will give the ball to their primary ace Clayton Kershaw. He is just the right guy since he normally makes snake tacos out of the Dbacks. Kershaw has posted a 7-5 record, and 2.25 ERA in 84 innings pitched against Arizona. In his career versus Arizona, Kershaw has walked only 31 and whiffed 98.

At Chase Field, Kershaw is 3-4 with a 2.89 ERA. Despite a lack of run support, Kershaw has been dominant when pitching at Phoenix as well. Kershaw has allowed just 16 walks, and whiffed 53 at Chase Field. Kershaw has gotten off to a spectacular start to the season. He was named NL player of the week for pitching a four-hit shutout of the Giants and hitting a home run on opening day. Then he tossed seven scoreless frames against the Bucs, to win his second start of the season. So far he is 2-0 and has allowed just six hits, one walk, and has whiffed 16 in 16 innings in 2013. That is utter domination.

The Dbacks are hitting just .173 (17 for 98) against Kershaw. Nobody has hit a home run off of Kersh, and the Dbacks have only posted a .492 OPS off of the Dodger ace. Aaron Hill is hitting .273 (3 for 11), and Gerardo Parra will have to be watched as well, as he is 3 for 10 in the past.

The snakes will counter with left hander Patrick Corbin. The young left hander has faced the Dodgers three times before, and is 1-1 with a 1.88 ERA. He’s held the Dodgers to a .200 (5 for 25) batting average against, with no home runs. Nobody has more than six at-bats, or more than a hit off of Corbin. The Clay, New York native has won his first start of the season.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1st inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

I think we’re all still a little shell-socked after what happened last night. I remember being in shock, as I witnessed the savage attack on Zack Greinke. I was hoping that A.J. Ellis would somehow get there in time to pile-drive Quentin into the ground before he could reach Greinke. I was thinking at the time…”Oh god noooooo!! Get Him A.J.! Get him!….” Deep within the labrynth of my mind I knew, it was too late.

As we wait for the smoke to clear, and the commissioners office to sort out the mess, this should only unite the Dodgers and bring them closer together. Quentin has a history for crowding the plate and has been hit by pitches many times during his career. This is Baseball, and it happens. What Quentin did was unforgivable, and you best believe we will not forget. Quentin just got himself a one way trip to the top of Los Angeles’s hit list along with Shane Victorino, and the Giants, and Gerardo Parra.

Speaking of the devil, we’ll see him and the Dbacks tonight at 6:40 P.M. Remember Prime Ticket will be televising some meaningless Ducks game, so check those alternate listings. We’ll be back after the game for our nightly postgame recap, and Dodgers coverage.

Of course if there is something we should never forget, it’s Juan Uribe’s pinch-hit game winning home run last night. So if you guys have an Empanada, throw it to the sky!

Feastmode!-Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Go Blue!