Diamondbacks Hang 5 On Brett Anderson, Hand Dodgers 3rd Consecutive Loss
After taking the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Los Angeles Dodgers lost consecutive games and entered play Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks with their magic number to clinch the National League West division stuck on seven.
Brett Anderson fielded his position nicely to record the first out of the game, then promptly gave up a double to Aaron Hill. With Hill standing on third base and two outs, Paul Goldschmidt lined to right field to end the inning. Jhoulys Chacin retired the first two batters faced before running into trouble.
Adrian Gonzalez hit a solo home run on Chacin’s first offering to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead, and Howie Kendrick connected on a first-pitch base hit. Andre Ethier singled to right field, and Corey Seager’s RBI double extended the Dodgers’ lead to 2-0. Seager’s double also meant he’s reached safely in all 16 of his starts, setting a new Los Angeles franchise record.
Brandon Drury and Nick Ahmed hit two-out singles in the second, but the Diamondbacks were hurt by the pitcher’s spot coming up and Chacin struck out swinging to end the inning. Anderson and Carl Crawford combined for back-to-back singles in the bottom of the second, and Gonzalez later drew a walk to load the bases with two outs.
Kendrick again went after Chacin’s first pitch, but lined out and the Dodgers missed an opportunity to pad their lead. Ender Inciarte led off the third inning with a double and he was moved over to third base on Hill’s groundout. A.J. Pollock’s sacrifice fly cut the Dodgers’ lead to 2-1 before Anderson managed to get out of the inning.
Ethier and Seager made solid contact in the bottom half of the third, but both balls were caught deep in the outfield. Yasmani Grandal hit right into the Diamondbacks’ shift and it was a quick inning of work for Chacin.
CONTINUE READING: Diamondbacks Have Answer For Yasmani Grandal’s Late Home Run
How about just bringing Kershaw, Greinkie and Jensen into the playoffs? Leave the rest of the pitching staff at home.
On days that Kershaw starts Greinkie can do middle relief and vice, versa. If needed, Jensen can close out the 9th.
The Dodgers would have a better chance to win it all with only K, G, & J pitching and excluding the rest of these gas cans from the playoffs. It’s an idea…just saying.
It seems they still can’t beat strong lineups and playoff bound teams.
I think my scenario is just as practical as the decisions Mattingly will have to make with these inconsistent, overpaid, schizophrenic, under achieving pitchers, and can you imagine the “Playoff Cred” Kershaw will have if he wins?
All we needed this year was some additional decent pitching, and yet, the front office couldn’t even do that. Also, while they may have secured us first place for now, they will not secure us a world series win this year with the decisions they have made. Those decisions, along with some questionable decisions by DM, will still have us chasing after a title again next year.
Can Kike pitch? He seems to be able to do everything else. I’d trust him on the hill over 90% of the pen