Editorials

Game 5 Recap: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers Snakebitten In Desert

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

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The Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second of their three-game series Saturday, though their lineup differed from the first game with Andre Ethier starting in right field and Justin Turner at third base.



Diamondbacks starter Archie Bradley made quick work of the Dodgers in the first inning of his Major-League debut. The rookie right-hander, who wastes little time between pitches, retired Jimmy Rollins and Carl Crawford on a pair of groundouts. Bradley then ended the inning by getting Adrian Gonzalez to strikeout.

Clayton Kershaw fell victim to the Dodgers’ use of a shift as A.J. Pollock reached on a base hit that likely would’ve been an out had Howie Kendrick not been moved from his usual position. Ender Inciarte reached on a bunt single up the third base line, then Paul Goldschmidt flied out on the first pitch.

Mark Trumbo also took advantage of the Dodgers’ shift by lining an RBI single into right field, again where Kendrick presumably would’ve been placed, to give the Diamondbacks a 1-0 lead. Kershaw ended the threat with back-to-back strikeouts.

After working a full count to leadoff the second, Kendrick lined one off Bradley, who recovered in time to make the play for the first out. Ethier also took Bradley to a full count and drew a walk to become the Dodgers’ first baserunner of the game. However, he was quickly erased as Turner grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Kershaw collected his third strikeout of the game in the bottom of the second inning, which moved him into sole possession of fifth place on the Dodgers’ all-time strikeouts list. After a fly out, Bradley knocked a two-out single into left field. The rookie’s stint on the basis was short-lived, however as he was picked off first base.

Retiring pitchers continued to prove a difficult task as Kershaw drew a two-out walk in the third inning. While Bradley didn’t answer back by picking him off, he did get Rollins to fly out to end the inning.

Pollock and Inciarte combined for consecutive singles in the third to again put two runners on with no outs for Goldschmidt. The Diamondbacks then pulled off a double steal, benefitting from Turner losing the ball as his glove made contact with Pollock’s cleats. Turner’s hand was spiked on the play and he was removed from the game after being tended to by trainer Stan Conte.

Play resumed with Uribe making a play on a chopper hit to his left for the first out of the inning, though a run scored and the Diamondbacks extended their lead to 2-0. After Trumbo remained perfect on the night with a single to right field that put runners on the corners, Aaron Hill hit into a double play.

CONTINUE READING: Alex Guerrero Takes Over At Third Base, Dodgers Go Away Quietly

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One Comment

  1. Thank you Mattingly: Clayton Kershaw fell victim to the Dodgers’ use of a shift as A.J. Pollock reached on a base hit that likely would’ve been an out had Howie Kendrick not been moved from his usual position.

    Thank you again Mattingly: Mark Trumbo also took advantage of the Dodgers’ shift by lining an RBI single into right field, again where Kendrick presumably would’ve been placed,

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