Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Post-NLCS Game 3 Thread: Dodgers Bear Injuries, Find Ryu of Sunshine

And this was only the second or third weirdest thing that happened last night.

DODGERS 3, CARDINALS 0

We knew this was a must-win game, but it also needed to be a must-enjoy game. After a 13-inning slog and a feeble shutout, the Dodgers desperately needed a shot of life, and man, did they get it.

First up, Hyun-Jin Ryu. Ryu struggled mightily in his lone NLDS start (something he chalked up to nerves, not injuries), so it was hard to predict what we'd get out of him. Turns out, we got seven innings of 3-hit, 4 K, shutout ball. We'll take it, and then some!

Again, though, the pitching has not been the problem this series. Coming into the game, the Dodgers had gone 19 innings without scoring a run. The streak extended to 22, when Adam WhineWainwright looked to be his typical self after three. Then, in the fourth, Mark Ellis doubled to lead off the inning. Mattingly resisted bunting with Hanley at the plate, but a flyout did move Ellis over to third. Finally, Adrian Gonzalez ripped a double to right, scoring Ellis and ending the drought. Adrian celebrated at second base, irritating Wainwright and the best fans in baseball.

GIF by Chad Moriyama

Speaking of celebrations, two batters later, Yasiel Puig became the first player in recent memory to pimp a home run and celebrate a triple in the same at bat. Puig's long drive to right missed being a home run into the right field seats by only about five inches to the left. When he realized it wasn't going out, he switched on the gas and made it to third without a throw. (AGon scored.)

That seemed like it would be enough for how Ryu was pitching, but they added one more in the eighth when the ailing, but still willing Hanley Ramirez deposited a dunker past second, scoring Carl Crawford (channeling Puig-like speed) from second. (Andre Ethier also gutted out his injury, but went 0-4.)

Brian Wilson nailed down the eighth, Kenley Jansen closed up shop, and the Dodgers found themselves right back in it, alive and kicking.

And oh yeah, that bear. Like I said, it was only the second or third weirdest thing that happened last night, and that was because A.J. Ellis hit a triple.

14 comments:

Fred's Brim said...

was that one of Karros' humping bears?

Tony said...

So Cardinal fans are baseball's best, huh? Did you read some of the posts on that Twitter page? My god, that is some of the most vile, homophobic, racist spewing's I have ever read.

Tony said...

You know I don't like any team the Dodgers are playing, but to make those type of personal attacks is just unbelievable.

Hideo Nomo said...

Yeah, that Twitter account is a dumpster. (Well, the account is cool. Everyone they retweet is fucking messed up, which is the point of the whole thing.)

Tony said...

Yeah, I suppose. I guess it's just a little too over the top for what I still consider to be a game.

Hideo Nomo said...

You're right, it is. That Twitter account was created to make fun of St. Louis having the label "best fans in baseball," while their fans are taking to Twitter saying horrible, horrible shit.

Fred's Brim said...

Best Fans should hang out with Florida Man

Dusty Baker said...

The number of digs that a number of "fans" take at the Dodgers because Magic Johnson is HIV positive is shocking.

Dusty Baker said...

@FB

That was my first thought when I embraced that rally bear's reality finally - that it looked like the sad spawn of SoSG EK's humping cartoon bears.

Dusty Baker said...

In fact, thanks to EK, I pretty much think that whenever I see any kind of bear, real or mascot.

Hideo Nomo said...

And Dusty doesn't shock easily.

Hideo Nomo said...

I think they should let the bear back in...occasionally. Especially knowing now that he used to be the Quakes mascot and just wanted one last shot at mascot glory.

We put up with Don't Stop Believin' Guy for a year and half, we can tolerate a bear from time to time.

BJ Killeen said...

About that bear...good to know Lyons found new employment.

Hideo Nomo said...

^ Like

GT up!