Dodgers Team News

Chase Utley’s RBI Single Forces Game 5 in Washington

When the Los Angeles Dodgers needed it the most, the veteran Chase Utley came through with a big RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Dodgers were able to escape with a narrow 6-5 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Andrew Toles reached base after being hit by a pitch and Andre Ethier singled to bring Utley up with two on base. The LA Dodgers has struggled all series long with hitting with runners in scoring position but when it mattered most the team pulled through.



Unlike games two and three, the Dodgers were helped out by some timely big hits from the bats in their lineup. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez gave the L.A. the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the first with a two-run home run. By hitting the home run Gonzalez now ranks second among Dodgers’ first basemen in postseason home runs (Steve Garvey, 10), according to optajackie on twitter.

The Dodgers were able to chase Nationals’ starting pitcher Joe Ross after only 2 2/3 innings pitched giving up four earned runs on three hits. While many were happy, Dodgers rumors are that some were worried if L.A. would have the same success off of the Washington bullpen.

The decision to start Clayton Kershaw on three days rest was a somewhat tough move by first-year manager Dave Roberts. If Kershaw did not start it would’ve been 20-year-old rookie Julio Urias. Kershaw responded by going 6 2/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits while striking out 11. The game marked Kershaw’s fourth postseason start having over 10 strikeouts.

Coming into the game Kershaw was 4-1 in six starts on three days of rest. His earned run average over that time was 1.13 with an opponent batting average of .167.

Kershaw overcame a shaky start to the game after throwing 27 pitches in the first inning, the most in an opening inning in the last two seasons for him. Following the rough start he began to find his comfort and mow down the Washington batters.

Kershaw left the game with the bases loaded up 5-2 in the seventh inning, that is when Roberts pulled him. Following the substitution, Pedro Baez hit former Dodger Jayson Werth. Next batter, Daniel Murphy hit a two-run single off Luis Avilan, forcing Kershaw into a no decision.

Not only was he dealing Kershaw even helped himself with a leadoff double in the bottom of the third inning. According to truebluela, it was the first extra-base hit by a Dodgers’ pitcher since Orel Hershiser doubled twice in game two of the 1988 World Series.

The Dodgers did get some help from the Nationals after Washington hit three Los Angeles batters. That brought the total to nine total hit batters in the series, the most in a divisional series in either league. By the end of the game the number was 11, the most ever in a postseason series.

In latest Dodgers News, the win for Los Angeles forces a game five in Washington D.C., Thursday Oct. 13.

Dodgers Nation TV:

Terrel Emerson

Terrel "Chatterbox" Emerson is a Inglewood native with strong Los Angeles roots. A big sports fan/analyst. Radio talk show host of "Talk That Talk," on WPMD. #WeLoveLA

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button