Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Post-Game 159 Thread: Dodgers Win 2014 NL West

DODGERS 9, GIANTS 1: DODGERS WIN 2014 NL WEST

A little shaky early on, when the Dodgers were down 1-0 to the Giants through four and a half. But Clayton Kershaw was just letting the tension rise, for dramatic effect. His first career triple tied the game at one, and then the Dodgers opened four-run cans of whup-ass in both the sixth (catalyzed by a Yasiel Puig solo HR) and the eighth (a 33-minute torture session for the Giants, who watched Juan Uribe single home two RBI, not to mention reliever Juan Gutierrez walk a run in).

At 5-1, the game was out of reach. At 9-1, it was an official drubbing, in our final game with the Giants this season, securing the series victory 10-9.

Dodgers win the NL West, for the second-straight year. Clayton Kershaw wins the MLB ERA title for the fourth consecutive year, the first player to ever do so (Kershaw went off the field in the eighth inning to a full stadium chanting "M V P"!). Puig added a great defensive highlight nailing Gregor Blanco, who tried to stretch from first to third on a single, and was summarily gunned down by Puig for his MLB-leading 14th outfield assist.

Oh, and Buster Olney and his suit were innocent bystanders when Kershaw was dunked by the gatorade cooler, during post-game interviews. Nice.

And now we play for playoff positioning...though we really could use the time to recuperate a bit. Rest up, Dodgers (starting with an off-day tomorrow)! You deserve it.

photo: Jeff Gross, Getty Images

18 comments:

Orel said...

And now to celebrate with some Cask Strength Macallan

Steve Sax said...

Morning radio in the Bay Area:

In awe of Kershaw

Thinks Puig is a d-bag, but still impressed by his talent (including that throw)

Pissed at Blanco for being thrown out at third

Pissed at Sabean for having to start players like Dominguez and Susac and Panik in a stretch run

Trying to figure out how they played sub-.500 ball after opening 42-21

Hideo Nomo said...

The shirt is fugly this year.

Steve Sax said...

Yeah, I agree

(Again I will probably get one)

Steve Sax said...

Wearing Dodger gear in the SF airport this morning. Getting a lot of angry stares.

Fred's Brim said...

WOOP!

Fred's Brim said...

Did Vin or somebody else say that with StL's loss and our win last night that we were at least assured of the second spot? Looks like we are 3 up with 3 to play and we won the season series (somehow).
The Nats have 5(!) games remaining including double headers today vs Los Mets and tomorrow vs Miami, both at home.

QuadSevens said...

What a game! Kershaw did it all. 11 K's, one triple, an RBI, and an amazing behind the back catch.

Dusty Baker said...

I thought I heard that we were assured of starting at home all the way until we would play Nats, if both progressed?

Dusty Baker said...

@7777

Would you say that Kershaw was "lights out"?

QuadSevens said...

I think I have to wait another 40 years before I can say that.

Fred's Brim said...

Dusty's angina is acting up again

Fred's Brim said...

@DB were you at the game?

Dusty Baker said...

No, unfortunately too whupped after work to make it over.

Steve Sax said...

@FB: yes, LAT is reporting this morning that the Cards' loss last night guarantees we have home-field in the NLDS, but I haven't confirmed that with, you know, math

spank said...

I GUESS I CAN STOP YELLING FOR NOW

spank said...

not worried about the bats of Ajellis and Butes. Catchers normally don't hit well. as long as they play solid D i'll be satisfied.

Steve Sax said...

Scooby doo! (Ellis and Butera reference in NPUT)