Editorials

Recap: Alex Guerrero Ties Game Late, Dodgers Lose On Walk-Off In 9th

Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

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Heisey came up half a step short Matt Duffy’s flare to center field and the Giants got another run across before Kershaw could get out of the inning. The Dodgers went down quickly in the fourth and their ace was back on the mound.



Kershaw struck out Posey for the first out of the inning, which was followed by a flyout to Puig. Belt struck out looking for the second time to end the inning. Uribe led off the top of the fifth with a single to center.

Uribe then advanced to second base on a Ellis’ slow grounder hit to third. Kershaw was unable to help his own cause as he went down swinging and Rollins grounded out to end the inning. Kershaw continued to keep the Dodgers within striking distance as he struck out the side in the bottom of the fifth.

Bumgarner walked Puig with one out in the sixth and got in a small jam after allowing a two-out single to Van Slyke. Representing the go-ahead run at the plate, Heisey was unable to do any damage as he grounded out to end the inning.

Aoki was a thorn in the Dodgers’ side once more in the bottom of the sixth, reaching on an infield single to leadoff the inning. However, he was caught stealing on a strike-em-out, throw-em-out. Kershaw then caught Pagan looking for called strike three and ninth strikeout of the game, much to Pagan’s disgust, who argued the call.

Following Ellis’ one-out single in the seventh, Alex Guerrero pinch-hit for Kershaw and worked his magic once more, tying the game with a two-run home run hit nearly halfway up the bleachers in left field. Yimi Garcia took over for the Dodgers in the bottom of the seventh and retired the first two batters he faced.

Garcia then issued back-to-back walks and was removed from the game. Paco Rodriguez entered to face the left-handed hitting Crawford, who fouled off several pitches before Rodriguez painted the outside corner on the ninth pitch of the at-bat for called strike three.

Sergio Romo struck out Kendrick and Van Slyke before facing pinch-hitter Joc Pederson, who batted for Heisey. Pederson worked a full count and nearly gave the Dodgers a lead but his fly ball to right field was tracked down at the warning track.

Chris Hatcher entered the game as part of a double switch in the bottom of the eighth and opened up the inning with a strikeout of Andrew Susac. The right-hander then got a pair of fly outs to send the game to the ninth tied at 2-2.

Andre Ethier hit a two-out single up the middle against Sergio Casilla, who then walked Rollins to move the go-ahead run into scoring position. Adrian Gonzalez pinch-hit for Turner, but grounded out on the first pitch he saw to end the threat.

Hatcher needed one pitch to record the first out in the bottom of the ninth before landing in hot water. Posey lined a base hit to center and Hatcher then hit Justin Maxwell with a pitch that ricocheted and struck Ellis on his right hand.

Dodgers trainer Stan Conte came out to examine Ellis, who attempted to remain in the game but was ultimately lifted after unsuccessful test-throws to Gonzalez. Yasmani Grandal and J.P. Howell formed the new battery with Belt at the plate, who singled to left to load the bases.

Gregor Blanco, who pinch-ran for Posey, made contact with the Giants’ third-base coach as he made his turn, though he wasn’t ruled out despite Mattingly protesting the play. The Dodgers then went to their now-familiar five-man infield with Puig playing third base.

The Dodgers again wouldn’t be able to see whether their loaded infield works as Panik won the game with a sacrifice fly to deep center field.

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4 Comments

  1. Disappointing ending to a game I had really looked forward to and stayed up until 130 to watch…hope they get back on track tonight. These two losses have had a lot of tough luck and a bad call to make winning tougher. Maybe the ball will bounce our way tonight…and for Petes sake!!!! Start guerrero!!!

    1. I think Mattingly has labeled Guerrero with being a bad defensive player! When Guerrero came to dring training last year, he had not played baseball for a year, and had just came to the U.S. ! While Dee was playing at second base throughout the winter league! This is the reason that Dee looked much better! Mattingly had told Dee to do this! I truly believe that Alex has not been given a fair chance from Mattingly!

      1. Well, guerrero and turner are getting a start tonight. Good thing because they’re both hot and they’re resting Rollins and uribe who are not…

        Just hope we can hit the ball tonight!!

  2. Heisey should have never brought up to start in this game! Heisey hits righty pitchers much better than he hits lefties, and had never faced Bumgarner! In fact, Joc hits lefties better than Heisey, and is a true center fielder! If Joc had been in center, the Giants would have not scored on that little fly ball that fell in center, in front of Heisey! Heisey did exactly what his prior stats said about his performance against lefties, o for three at bats! Puig would have been a better player to stick in center, than Heisey! Mattingly could have put Guerrero in left , put Puig in center, and put Scotty in right, if he wanted to get more right handers in the lineup! I don’t understand why Mattingly didn’t know that Heisey had better stats against right handed pitchers, before bringing Heisey up! Also, if anyone needs a rest, it should have been Jroll!

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