Kenley Jansen Blows Save, Astros Win On Jason Castro’s Walk-Off Home Run In 10th
The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered another loss Saturday, which left them looking to avoid being swept by the Houston Astros in the three-game series finale on Sunday afternoon at Minute Maid Park.
Whereas the Dodgers were no-hit Friday night and didn’t get a hit off Scott Kazmir until the fourth inning on Saturday, Chase Utley doubled off Astros rookie Lance McCullers in the first inning. A wild pitch allowed Utley to advance to third base and he scored on Justin Turner’s sacrifice fly.
Jose Altuve hit a leadoff single in the bottom of the first that Clayton Kershaw worked around to keep the Dodgers’ 1-0 lead intact. Andre Ethier led off the second inning with a base hit that hit the edged-out wall in foul territory off the third base line.
However, Astros left fielder Marwin Gonzalez played the carom perfectly and threw on the run to gun down Ethier on his attempt to stretch the single into a double. Yasiel Puig extended his hitting streak to seven games with a base hit of his own and shortly after stole second base. He was stranded there as McCullers struck out Carl Crawford and got A.J. Ellis to fly out.
The Astros didn’t have any success against Kershaw in the bottom of the second as he retired the side in order, collecting his second strikeout of the game along the way. Kiké Hernandez hit a leadoff single in the third, but was erased from the bases as Jimmy Rollins grounded into a shift-induced double play. Utley then flied out and the Dodgers’ lead remained 1-0.
Kershaw retired the first two batters faced in the bottom of the third, then saw Altuve beat Rollins’ throw from the outfield grass for an infield single. However, the Astros second baseman was caught flatfooted as Kershaw easily picked off Altuve to end the inning.
CONTINUE READING: Carlos Gomez Attempts To Steal Home Plate, Kicks A.J. Ellis
