Monday, July 25, 2011

Post-Game 102 Thread: The "Route" Is On (And Then Almost Off Again)

8-5, get it?

DODGERS 8, ROCKIES 5

Like in yesterday's game, the opponent scored first, with one run in the top of an early inning (three consecutive two-out singles in the second inning). And like in yesterday's game, the Dodgers' pitching staff (Rubby De La Rosa, Matt Guerrier, and Kenley Jansen) proceeded to shut them down after that, allowing no hits from the third inning until the ninth inning.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the plate, our 1-2-3 batters (Rafael Furcal, Aaron Miles, and Andre Ethier) went a combined 6-for-13 with 6 RBI and 2 BB, and Juan Rivera (in the five-hole) added a RBI double of his own. The Dodgers scored three in the third (two off a Ethier HR), two in the sixth, and three in the eighth (batting around), which brought the immortal words of impeccable speller SoSG Dusty Baker, "the route is on!"

But unlike yesterday's game, things didn't end so smoothly. In the top of the ninth, Hong-Chih Kuo entered with a seven-run lead in his favor, but decided to bring along his backup band, the Yippers. Kuo couldn't find the plate (17 pitches, only five for strikes), allowing a single and two walks while recording one out. Kuo had to be rescued by Mike MacDougal, who promptly walked Ryan Spilborghs and allowed Dexter Fowler a RBI single. And then Jamey Carroll added a fielding error to allow a fourth run to score. MacDougal then walked in the fifth run of the night, and we had to call Javy Guerra into service with the bases loaded, in order to get the last two outs of the game on the ninth and tenth batters of the inning.

What was almost an epic implosion was narrowly, narrowly averted, but you know what they say: no lead is safe at Dodger Stadium. Not with this bullpen, at least. Dodgers win their third in a row and climb to 13 GB. We're making our move!

19 comments:

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

(continues to dance victory jig)

Steve Sax said...

holy smokes, Boston had first and third in the bottom of the 13th with one out, and didn't convert.

Then KC came out and scored two in the top of the 14th to win it.

Wow.

Steve Sax said...

You have to see Mike Aviles' "bunt" to score the go-ahead run. It sails over the first baseman's head. What a fluke.

Steve Sax said...

Joakim Soria badge (save, KC)!

Steve Sax said...

Mr LA SC, are you still dancing?

BTW how was the Stadium Club on Sunday?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

'Twas magical, Sax.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

And yes, I am still dancing.

Steve Sax said...

Did you sit at one of the full-service tables on the balcony?

Or just hang out at the bar?

Steve Sax said...

I was close to dying of heat exhaustion, I almost emailed you for relief

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I sat at the balcony.

Steve Sax said...

Oh, that was you! I knew I saw you.

Fred's Brim said...

I thought that sign was meant to say this win was like a garlic sandwich: overpowering to start, you are full when it was over and you are left with a bad aftertaste

Fred's Brim said...

but I'll take it - it's seasons like this that make you appreciate wins, however they come to us

Steve Sax said...

@FB: Nice Gilroy reference!

I remember going to the Gilroy Garlic Festival one year and eating garlic ice cream. Absolutely disgusting.

Steve Sax said...

True Tales of the Sons of Steve Garvey:

I kept having to download new route pictures from Route 81 onward, thanks to Kuo and MacDougal and their inability to close the game. I had a good picture for Route 84, too. Bastards.

Fred's Brim said...

ack that sounds terrible

I think they are also big on cherries in a different season. I love cherries but I imagine them all having a garlicky tinge to them

Fred's Brim said...

ugh - Route 81 in PA is one of my least favorite roads.

Steve Sax said...

I got nothing against any of the routes 81-85, I just hated having to find a picture of a new one every five minutes

Fernie V said...

The stadium club, can us commoners attend or is it only for rich masters.