An Anonymous Bob Redford Tribute

From the our anonymous poet:

Did A.J. Ellis Get Traded? Yes.

Thank you, @AJEllis17! #ThankYouAJ pic.twitter.com/7JQMgWF8P6

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 25, 2016

Roberts Has Full Confidence In Grandal

The Dodgers' offense is horrible this year, and Yasmani Grandal's malaise is at least one contributor; after a breakout season last year with an OPS+ of 112, he's suffering through an OPS+ of 78 this year. And reading the post-game recap yesterday, when Grandal stood at the plate when Brewers pitcher Tyler Thornburg decided to throw balls outside (Thornburg has just walked Howie Kendrick to load the bases with two out in the bottom of the ninth), it didn't seem like Dave Roberts was hoping Grandal was going to swing, either:

Grandal, hitting .184 this season, took a 3-2 pitch from reliever Tyler Thornburg (3-2) that missed high and outside, capping Los Angeles' third straight comeback win.

"I know Yasmani can conduct an at-bat, hit a gap, even draw a walk" Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "He's not hitting great right now, but I know he can get on base. I liked our chances."

Grandal is batting .184 this year. Ellis, for whom Grandal pinch-hit, went 0-for-2 yesterday and is batting .191 on the season.

Can we just get one of you two to start hitting! Please!

Post-Game 19 Thread: Dodgers Win Despite Another Short Wood Start AND Necessary Ninth-Inning Comeback

DODGERS 12, ROCKIES 10

It's a rare occasion these days, for me to be able to watch a game live alongside another Son. (I'm working on this issue.)

But watching with SoSG AC today, we were giddy watching the Dodgers squander a 7-1 lead, capped by a five-run Rockies bottom of the eighth that just about nailed the coffin shut for the Dodgers--only to see us miraculously counter with five runs of our own in the top of the ninth, to win the game 12-10. This was truly unbelievable, and we were both going nuts with despair and then elation. And this is why baseball is so great.

Alex Wood sucked again, struggling through five innings before exiting in the sixth with another horrible line (5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB and 5 Ks; his ERA is now 6.00 and he has had only one outing (of four) longer than five innings). So look, I had expected to lose this game, given Wood was starting. Even though Pedro Baez pulled off an impressive escape routine in the sixth. Even though Adam Liberatore had a scoreless seventh. And even though my fears came to fruition in the eighth, when Chris Hatcher proved ridiculously ineffective yet again (four batters, two hits and a walk, 3 ER), Luis Avilan let another two runs in, and Joe Blanton was needed to get the comebacker 1-6-3 DP to end the nine-batter frame.

Down 10-7 going to the ninth, it looked pretty bleak for us to try and take the game and this series. Adrian Gonzalez led off with a single to right; Yasmani Grandal forced Gonzalez at second, but advanced to third on Howie Kendrick's one-out single. Kike Hernandez walked, and Trayce Thompson hit into a FC at second.

With two out and down 10-8, pinch hitter A.J. Ellis singled to center to score Kendrick and make it 10-9 Rockies. And then a wild pitch by Jake McGee scored Thompson, and Chase Utley (2-for-6 with three runs and a RBI) doubled in Charlie Culberson (who had PR for Ellis). Corey Seager then doubled home Utley, to make it 12-10 Dodgers, and we too had notched five runs and nine batters in the next frame.

This is the kind of comeback victory that makes players believers. This is the kind of win that has one think, "wow, this team has some magic here." It's early. But this could be a turning point in this young season.

With the win, the Giants' 5-4 loss to the 6-11 Marlins, and the Snakes' loss to the Pirates, the Dodgers are in first place by 2.5 games with a 12-7 record. What a surprise that one game can make. We'll need it...especially when Wood starts.

graphical thingy courtesy fangraphs

Post-Game 3 Thread: In Sweep, Maeda Impression

DODGERS 7, PADRES 0

The Dodgers are 3-0 and have scored 25 runs in 27 innings played. Plus they've allowed ZERO runs against, with scoreless efforts across 10 different pitchers (Yimi Garcia has had two appearances, in games 1 and 3).

And if that's not enough to absolutely astound one, starting pitcher Kenta Maeda hit a home run in today's winning effort, to momentarily lead the team in home runs (Yasiel Puig hit one as well, in the eighth inning, to tie Maeda for the team lead.

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!

Okay, deep breaths. Yes, it's only the second time in MLB history that a team has started a season with three shutouts (1963 Cardinals--who ended up missing out on the NL pennant by six games to the Dodgers, who won the World Series over the Yankees). It's a Dodgers club record for scoreless innings to begin a season (obviously).

And Maeda: wow. He was all smiles when he returned to the dugout after his fourth-inning shot, and the Dodgers' silent treatment didn't last very long before erupting in joy. But Maeda's line: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 4 Ks and 0 BB, wasn't too shabby either.

Justin Turner and Joc Pederson each had two RBI; Puig, Maeda, and Carl Crawford each had one RBI. Puig is now batting .600 with a 1.992 OPS. A.J. Ellis went 0-for-4 to drop his average to .125 on the season, but he did get a contested tag in at the plate to get Cory Spangenberg on a grounder to first, thereby maintaining the scoreless streak.

But before we start going nuts here, let's remind ourselves it's the Padres we've just swept. Onward to San Francisco for three.

photo: Denis Poroy, Getty Images

Post-Game 157 Thread: THE WEST IS WON

DODGERS 8, GIANTS 0

The Dodgers win the NL West, marking the third-consecutive NL West title for the first time in franchise history. Clayton Kershaw was indeed lights out, with the first one-hit CG SHO against the Giants since Hideo Nomo in 1995. And all of those ghosts of having lost all seven games at AT&T Park this year? Even with Ashley Madison on the mound, the Dodgers won the one that counted, tonight.

Kiké Hernandez batted leadoff and went 2-for-5 with a HR and two runs. Justin Turner went 1-for-3 in cleanup with another RBI. Corey Seager went 1-for-5 but also had an RBI. Justin Ruggiano and A.J. Ellis, the latter of whom went 2-for-4, had back-to-back home runs in the sixth off of Bumgarner, which chased Madison (actually, the 13-pitch groundout by Kershaw in the top of the fifth also helped.

Five more games, and we really could rest everyone...except we are one game back of the NL East leader Mets (who also own the tiebreaker). Should we care? Relative to resting all of our injured players? All I know is, tonight I'm drinking!

Post-Game 136 Thread: 19, Again?

DODGERS 5, PADRES 1

Wait a minute, didn't I just post that the Dodgers, with a win today, were supposed to be up +20 games over .500? So what gives with the PGT picture?

We did indeed win (thanks in part to a great Padres gift, an error thrown by Padres pitcher Nick Vincent down the right field line, scoring three runs for the Dodgers), and we did indeed go up +20 games (78-58 to be exact). But our 7.5-game lead now means our magic number to win the division is 19.

So Brett Anderson's 5.2 IP (4 H, 1 ER, 4 BB and 4 Ks) did help the cause (even if Anderson did have to exit the game early with a leg cramp). "Real" RBI came from Andre Ethier (first-inning sacrifice fly) and A.J. Ellis (run-scoring single in the sixth). And the Dodgers head north (but not all the way north), to Anaheim, for three games starting tomorrow.

+20! Magic number at 19! Let's keep it going.

Post-Game 130 Thread: Dodgers Finally Grab Spotlight Off Broadway

DODGERS 5, GIANTS 4 (14)

The Dodgers won a game. Against the Giants.

Adrian Gonzalez had a walk-off single with the bases loaded and none out in the bottom of the 14th, lacing the first pitch from Yusmiero Petit to left field to score A.J. Ellis. Ellis, Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley had all reached in succession off of Mike Broadway, who ended up with the game's worst line (0.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 Ks). With the bases loaded, even third base coach Ron Roenicke couldn't hold up the Dodgers from scoring--and really, it was about time, after this five-and-a-half hour ulcer-creating tightrope walk.

What was good--actually, what was amazing--was that the Dodgers' bullpen actually did pretty okay. Nine innings of work, post-Brett Anderson's five-inning, 3 ER start, and Pedro Baez, Luis Avilan, Kenley Jansen, Jim Johnson (two innings!), and Chris Hatcher (three innings!) all put in great scoreless efforts. Juan Nicasio blew the save in the eighth inning, allowing the Giants to score off a Marlon Byrd double.

But after that, the scoring completely shut down for both teams, though it seemed like it was the Dodgers who were regularly narrowly escaping jams AND blowing chances to win. Losing would have been dispiriting, particularly to Justin Turner (who doubled in a run in the first inning off of Jake Peavy), Adrian Gonzalez (whose two-run HR tied the game at 3), and Andre Ethier (who put the Dodgers ahead 4-3 until Nicasio's effort).

But six innings of scoreless bullpen work from our boys? Pretty damn impressive, and certainly needed. Dodgers' lead grows to 4.5 games; Giants' losing streak extends to three games; and though we won't have any arms for the rest of this series, Zack Greinke (Tuesday) and Clayton Kershaw (who PH unsuccessfully tonight; Wednesday) might be able to go beyond five innings?! Either way, we'll take it.

Post-Game 125 Thread: Dodgers Again Limp To Victory Over Reds, Roenicke

Unconfirmed picture of Chase Utley's glove, after Ron Roenicke got to it before the game

DODGERS 7, REDS 4

Thanks to an outpouring of three home runs, scoring five runs in the fourth inning (Scott Van Slyke solo shot; A.J. Ellis and Yasiel Puig with two-run HRs each) off of Reds starter David Holmberg, the Dodgers jumped out to a 6-0 lead and looked ready to have Dodger starter Brett Anderson coast to victory.

Not so fast, said Dodgers third base coach Ron Roenicke. Unsubstantiated claims of his tampering with Chase Utley's glove (see above) led to Utley's two-out fielding error in the seventh, ushering in a three-run frame by the Reds; and in the ninth inning, Utley's porous glove again allowed former Dodger Skip Schumaker to reach base with two out--extending an inning which allowed the tying run to the plate, creating nervousness for most Dodger fans about the potential culmination of Roenicke's machinations.

Good prevailed over evil, however. Kenley Jansen eventually got the save, but it was another white-knuckle experience watching the bullpen (who really need to be more bare-knuckle, than white-knuckle, if we're to advance in the postseason).

Adrian Gonzalez added an RBI double in the ninth to score Puig. Anderson went 6.2 IP and gave up five hits and three earned runs, to earn the victory.

Cubs are up 2-0 2-1 in the first inning in SF. Let's go, Cubbies!

Post-Game 93 Thread: Greinke On, Grandal Out, Dodgers Erupt Late

DODGERS 5, NATIONALS 0

Zack Greinke, what a mensch. With 119 pitches, technically on three days' rest after starting the All-Star Game, Greinke out-dueled Max Scherzer, whiffing 11 Nationals in the process. Greinke looked like he could have sat down after seven strong innings and a tenuous 1-0 lead, but with the pitcher's spot coming up first in the top of the ninth inning, Greinke held on to pitch the eighth and sat Ian Desmond and Michael Taylor down on strikes, and then got PH Tyler Moore to ground out. Greinke improves to 9-2 and his scoreless streak is 43.2 innings, fourth-longest since 1961 for the Dodgers.

And then, in the top of the ninth, the Dodgers erupted. Justin Turner led off the inning (I still don't understand why Mattingly "gives a player the day off", and then inevitably has them come in late in the game anyway) with a single on an 0-2 count, and then Joc Pederson singled on an 1-2 count. I think the radio broadcast said the Dodgers were 0-for-9 with RISP prior to the ninth (Andre Ethier scored in the fourth on a Scherzer wild pitch during an Alberto Collaspo AB), but this time, the floodgates opened: ten men came to the plate (technically nine men, since Turner came up twice); and Ethier, A.J. Ellis, and Yasiel Puig each had RBI to open up a 5-0 lead. Puig's 2-RBI single was especially fitting as it came on a 2-2 count having struck out four times in the game prior.

Collaspo was 1-for-5 with 2 Ks and 4 LOB, trailing only Puig and Ethier in LOB (but both of them ended up delivering RBI, unlike Collaspo). He is batting .217. He should not be playing.

Jimmy Rollins was 0-for-4 with 1 K and 3 LOB. Rollins is batting .206. Dee Gordon is batting .338, third-best in the majors. I'm just saying.

The only blemish was Yasmani Grandal, who was knocked out of the game (almost literally) by a foul ball to the mask in the bottom of the sixth inning. Let's hope Grandal, who left the game immediately, is okay. And the series win came in handy, as the Giants swept the D'backs; division lead is at 3.5 games as we go to Atlanta, while San Francisco gets the cushy scheduling of San Diego. (The Dodgers don't see another NL West opponent until August 31.)

Post-Game 46 Thread: Wood Holds Up Pretty Well

BRAVES 3, DODGERS 2

Zack Greinke on the mound should mean an automatic win for the Dodgers. But if the opponent can just hold out beyond Greinke (who had 97 pitches after six innings), then it's up to the bullpen...which didn't work for us this evening. Adam Liberatore allowed both runs, but the runners were put on by Chris Hatcher, who took the loss and dropped to 1-4. For the Braves, Alex Wood came back fro illness to go seven innings of one-run ball.

Alex Guerrero added a HR in the bottom of the ninth, and A.J. Ellis was on first with two out and only a run down--but Alberto "Collapso" Collaspo hit a pop fly to center to end the game.

Alberto Collaspo does not have a label yet on SoSG. I am going to keep it that way.

Post-Game 45 Thread: Kershaw Fans 10

DODGERS 8, BRAVES 0

Clayton Kershaw may be a pedestrian 3-3, but he is still far from mortal, as he showed many a Brave today. Freddie Freeman alone had 4 Ks (one to J.P. Howell in the eighth), but Jace Freeman and Jonny Gomes each contributed two Ks. The Braves totaled 11 Ks in the game.

The Dodgers opened up a six-spot in the fourth inning, putting this game away:

• Joc Pederson single
• Jimmy Rollins forceout
• Howie Kendrick double, scoring Rollins
• Adrian Gonzalez IBB
• Justin Turner single, scoring Kendrick
• Andre Ethier double, scoring Gonzalez and Turner
• Alex Guerrero walk
• A.J. Ellis double, scoring Ethier but nailing Guerrero at the plate
• Clayton Kershaw single, scoring Ellis
• Pederson ground out

Not a bad outing! And good to see Kershaw, who went seven strong innings, get the win.

Post-Game 14 Thread: Panik Anxiety

GIANTS 3, DODGERS 2

Joe Panik didn't do much in tonight's game, having taken a walk for Joaquin Arias in the seventh inning after the Dodgers had tied the game in the beginning of that frame (a two-run Alex Guerrero HR, scoring A.J. Ellis, chasing Madison Bumgarner). But with Chris Hatcher loading two runners on the basepaths in the bottom of the ninth (one on a HBP), and J.P. Howell allowing a one-out single to load the bases, all Panik had to do was hit a sacrifice fly to win the game.

There was controversy, in that the single Brandon Belt hit off of Howell would have scored Gregor Blanco from second, had Giants third base coach Roberto Kelly not physically stopped Blanco (thereby interfering with the runner, causing an automatic out). The homer umpiring crew gave it to the Giants, however, and we lost 3-2 in a walkoff. Surely this can't happen again, right?

Road Trip Chicago: Dodgers vs Cubs

Dad once tweeted us sons that everyone should goto Wrigley Field once in their life.  I was lucky to live in Chicago for a few years and every opportunity that I could take, I would make it to at least one of the Dodger games in that series.  This time, Mrs. Cora had a conference in Chicago, so I decided to tag along and catch a couple of games at Wrigley.  I worked the night shift, got 2 hours of sleep, and boarded the 9 am flight from LAX to ORD.  It landed around 4 pm and then we raced to the hotel to change and take the red line to the stadium.  

Front facade

The first game was an overcast night game.  From the outside, Wrigley looked the same.  People milling about, drinking at the local watering holes, and taking pictures around the stadium.  

Billy "Dee" Williams?  Smooth like a colt 45

We had to get a Chicago hot dog, with the fluorescent green relish and tomato.  Granted this is far from the best dining that Chicago offers (try Fontera Grill or North Pond to break the bank), but we had to try the famous dog.

Yum

We got there early enough to watch the warm ups.  The bleachers and the new scoreboard were impressive.  And with such an intimate stadium, they weren't overwhelming.  I just feel bad for the rooftop patrons across the street. 

Yaz doing the twist

The game itself as great with a controversial official review call to end the game.  Our usher was also so nice.  I love how they are so attentive and pleasant.  

Woohoo!

I love LA!

We went back to the hotel, slept and then grabbed a quick breakfast to make it back to the stadium for the day game.  I wanted to get there early to see some player warmups too.  I'm sure many of you saw the hijinks that Joc Pederson and fellow rookies pulled off going to the Starbucks in full uniform across the street from Wrigley.  Well as we were walking in, they passed right by us, carrying full trays of coffee for the team.  Pretty funny.

Mural off the red line stop

Kid Kershaw warming up

Local boy Mike Bolsinger signing autographs

Thanks Mike!

The weather was slightly humid, with some scatter showers.  But it did not damper the spirits, beer, or the game.  We sat near the Dodger bullpen, so I was able to get real close to the players warming up.  It was pretty cool.  One thing bad about Dodger stadium is that the retaining wall around the field level really limits player access unless you have some serious coinage.

Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale

The new scoreboards were nice

AJ warming up

Our starting pitcher

We won this game as well and were sent home happy.  We then walked around Chicago and again marveled how wonderful the city is: nice people and clean, but the weather sucks.  I had not been back in about 7 years so there were some changes such as the Under Armour Store on Michigan Ave which used to be an Eddie Bauer.  The store has this ridiculous enormous round TV screen that faces down.  It was broadcasting the NBA draft that day.  We also ate at some seriously awesome restaurants throughout the week.

Under Armour store on Michigan Ave

Dodger Blue representing in the UA store

Overall, it was a great Chicago Dodger trip.  I know that the Dodgers are doing those Dodger Destination travel packages (so far in St. Louis and New York), and they should definitely consider doing one for Chicago.  Heck, if they need help planning it, I have lots of ideas!  So, yes, Dad was correct.  Wrigley and Chicago really are great.  Plus, two wins didn't hurt.  Go Blue!

Post-Game 90 Thread: A-Gon, The All-Star

Picture from Friday's night's game, but Counsell's expression is timeless

DODGERS 4, BREWERS 3

With Kyle Lohse and his 6.17 ERA having made it through five innings and wielding a 3-2 lead, Craig "The Rat" Counsell opted to go to his bullpen (I was listening to the radio broadcast at the time, and I think Monday said that Milwaukee's bullpen ERA rated pretty well, though their team ERA ranks 12th in the NL, which obviously isn't very good). However, the third reliever in the Brewers' parade, Will Smith, wasn't gettin' jiggy with it, and replaced Jeremy Jeffress (who had left Howie Kendrick on second with none out) only to give up the go-ahead HR to Adrian Gonzalez.

Gonzalez is now taking his offensive firepower to the All-Star Game, along with Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw, Yasmani Grandal, and Joc Pederson. This is the first time that the Dodgers have had five All-Stars since 1995 (a year which was so crazy, even Jose Offerman was an All-Star). Smith, on the other hand, is not advancing to the All-Star Game.

A.J. Ellis also had a home run, his second. I have to record this for the record books. He is batting .217, which is still ahead of Jimmy Rollins (1-for-4 today, batting .213). Justin Turner also had a two-out base-hit RBI in the first.

Brett Anderson went a respectable 7.0 IP (8 H, 3 ER, 0 BB and 3 Ks), but Pedro Baez got the win and Kenley Jansen took his 18th save.

Let's all take a little break now, so Counsell can stop grimacing.

Post-Game 61 Thread: A Messy Victory

DODGERS 4, PADRES 3

Clayton Kershaw got plunked in the lower back on a Justin Upton line drive with two out in the first inning. Kershaw continued on to strike out 11 over 6.2 IP and yielding only 1 ER (a unexpected HR from Clint Barmes in the seventh) against 3 BB. But we fought on.

Wil Myers then reached on a stupid fricking infield pop fly, which saw Justin Turner crash into Yimi Garcia (who relieved Kershaw) and the ball drop while Alberto Callaspo looked on like an idiot. (Turner had moved from first to third after Adrian Gonzalez, who had GIDP'd with rancho ardiendo in the top of the seventh, was ejected for (correctly) arguing shitty strike zone calls.) And then Derek Norris hit a HR to put the Padres in front 3-2 and ruin Kershaw's night.

Ugliness abounded, but at least the Dodgers pulled it together for the victory. Howie Kendrick led off the eighth with a double, advancing to third on a Matt Kemp throwing error. Justin Turner singled Kendrick home, and then later that inning, PH Alex Guerrero came through again with a line drive to center, scoring Andre Ethier (who had reached on a single and advanced on an AJ Ellis walk). LA led 4-3; Chris Hatcher and Adam Liberatore held the eighth and Kenley Jansen struck out the side in the ninth for the victory.

Gonzalez and Ellis both had RBI earlier in the game.

Meanwhile, up north, Chase Anderson outdueled Ashley Madison and the Diamondbacks won 1-0 in SF. The Giants were no-hit through six; Bumgarner gave up 9 hits over 8 innings, and the Giants lost their sixth straight home game, to drop 2.5 games back of the Dodgers. It's messy. But I like it.

photo: Getty Images

How Bad Are Things For A.J. Ellis?

A.J. Ellis, last year's starting catcher for the Dodgers, has always been regarded for solid defense, general poise and presence, and on-field leadership. However his woeful batting average (.191 last year in 93 games) led the club to pick up Yasmani Grandal for the starting catcher role this year. Although Ellis' OBP was relatively more positive (.323, in the range of reasonable relative to last year's starting lineup), his OPS+ of 67 was by far the worst of any position starter last year. And this year's OPS+ of 22 isn't going to make much of a case for Ellis to get back to a starting role anytime soon.

But yesterday, Ellis got the start, and so the Dodgers' scoreboard operator had to put up some interesting facts about Ellis for the game. According to SoSG Dusty Baker, who was at the Stadium yesterday:

In-game stat for A.J. Ellis is that he reached the 1000th tweet mark on April 5 2015

Ouch. Can't believe the Dodgers' stat guys can't even find something else, like Ellis' ability to hit well during day games against teams with red caps who have two starters whose last names start with "Go". Not much more in those dregs one can find, I suppose.

Post-Game 12 Thread: 7-Up

DODGERS 7, ROCKIES 0

The Dodgers won their seventh in a row with a 7-0 victory, completing the sweep of the Rockies on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the Stadium. The action started in the second inning, when a Scott Van Slyke one-out double scored Howie Kendrick, and Joc Pederson followed that with a double of his own to score SVS.

The sixth inning was an explosion, however. Kendrick leadoff HR, then Andre Ethier walked to set up a two-run SVS homer, and then Pederson followed with a HR of his own. Justin Turner (4-for-5 today) doubled home A.J. Ellis later in that frame, to make it 7-0. The only offensive disappointment was Adrian Gonzalez: 0-for-5 with 7 LOB, plummeting his average to... .469. Very nice to see Ellis finally get a hit this season, after starting the year 0-for-11. Van Slyke's 3-for-4 today gives him a 1.600 OPS on the year.

On the other side of the coin, Brandon McCarthy continued notching strikeouts (6 Ks), and this time didn't allow a barrage of HRs, which was refreshing! Dodgers remain in first place in the NL West and take another rest day before the long flight to San Francisco for a series that starts Tuesday (Clayton Kershaw vs. Ashley Madison in the Wednesday matchup!).

Well-placed icon hands

Game 10 Thread: April 17 vs. Rockies, 7p

My new favorite shirt. Get one here.
Clayton Kershaw (0-1, 5.84) vs. Kyle Kendrick (1-1, 6.00)

0-1? 5.84 ERA? This is Clayton Kershaw, we're talking about, right? OK, so Kid K hasn't exactly exploded out of the blocks this year, but it's still early. He's probably just getting used to throwing to a new catcher. (What's that? He's still only pitching to AJ? OK...) EDIT: Nope! Grandal catches Kershaw tonight.

But hey, he's facing the Rockies tonight. At Dodger Stadium. I have a vague recollection of that going quite well last time it happened. Just...don't pay any attention the Rockies' hot start.

Tonight is also the first Friday Night Fireworks of the season. Hmmm...I wonder how I can tie that into the Lucky Boobs Streak.

Post-Game 1 Thread: Rollins Trumps Kemp Homecoming

DODGERS 6, PADRES 3

Lots of moments of trepidation out there today, particularly after former Dodger Matt Kemp (who was greeted with a nice ovation from the Los Angeles crowd) doubled home a run in the first inning; new Dodger Jimmy Rollins hit a leadoff single and then advanced no further; and the Dodgers looked absolutely listless in their support of Clayton Kershaw (6.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 9 Ks, 4.50 ERA).

Then came the fourth inning, when Adrian Gonzalez homered; Howie Kendrick tripled; and Carl Crawford doubled to make it 2-1 Dodgers. The Dodgers crowd came alive and things looked promising...until Kemp again struck a double to score two in the top of the fifth (3-2, SD). Kemp ended up 2-for-4 with 3 RBI and man it is just bizarre seeing him clad in non-Dodger Blue.

And then it was weird: everything went to the Guggenheim group's off-season narrative. In the top of the sixth, rookie Joc Pederson (1-for-3 with a walk and a K) made a great grab in center field which reminded us what outfield defense is supposed to look like. And right after that, Kemp misplayed a Kendrick double which scored A-Gon and tied the game at 3 in the bottom of the seventh.

The bottom of the eighth was the dagger. Pederson walked, and though A.J. Ellis weakly popped out his sac bunt attempt, PH Andre Ethier reached on a missed catch error by Padres pitcher Shawn Kelley. Rollins then came up and worked a 0-2 count back to full before homering to right on the eighth pitch of the AB. 6-3 Dodgers; Rollins ends up 2-for-4 with 3 RBI, 1 BB and 1 K. Chris Hatcher closed out the ninth (with a leadoff HBP, saved by a UJTD GIDP), and the Dodgers take the Opening Day victory. Happy times, all (except for Juan Uribe, 0-for-4, and Yasiel Puig / Ellis, both 0-for-3)!

photo collage taken by SoSG Alex Cora