VIDEO: Skip Schumaker Pitches Scoreless Ninth Inning

Last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers closed out the month of April by hosting the Colorado Rockies for a three-game series. The Dodgers went 1-2 in the series, suffering a blowout 12-2 loss in the first game. Despite having back and neck issues, Ted Lilly got the start for the Dodgers, but allowed the Rockies to score five runs in just three innings, including four in the first.

Josh Wall relieved Lily and gave up seven additional runs in two innings of work. With the Dodgers far behind in the ninth inning, manager Don Mattingly didn’t want to risk overworking his bullpen and called on utility man Skip Schumaker to get the final three outs.

Schumaker stepped ons the mound with Carlos Gonzalez batting and allowed a single to center field. Next up for the Rockies was Ryan Wheeler, who lined out. Schumaker recorded his second out when Andre Either caught a fly ball off the bat of Michael Cuddyer. Nolan Arenado followed by getting a base hit to center field. Schumaker then found himself in trouble, if such a thing exists when trailing by 10 runs, after walking Josh Rutledge on a full count. With the bases loaded, Schumaker managed to get Jonathan Herrera to ground out and the bench player turned pitcher got out of the ninth without allowing a run.

Although Schumaker’s relief appearance didn’t hurt the Dodgers, the loss dropped the team to 12-13. However, it would also mark the last time the Dodgers would be below .500 before storming back and eventually taking the NL West pennant.
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