Recap: Dodgers Lose A Heartbreaker 4-3 In Game 2 Of The NLDS

However, Mattingly’s over-managing came into play yet again as he brought in Paco Rodriguez to face left-handed pinch hitter Jose Constanza. Upon seeing the lefty-lefty matchup, Fredi Gonzalez pinch-hit Reed Johnson, who inexplicably was intentionally walked to not only loaded the bases, but bring up Jason Heyward.

Hitting better against lefties then he is righties, Heyward lined a single against the struggling Rodriguez up the middle and stretched the Braves lead to 4-1. Ronald Belisario walked the only batter he faced and J.P. Howell came on and retired Freeman with a ground ball to second.

In the 8th inning, Mark Ellis worked a lead off walk and that brought Hanley up to face Braves reliever David Carpenter. I still don’t know how, but Ramirez hit a one-handed home run down the left field line and brought the Dodgers back within a run, 4-3.

Gonzalez and Puig struck out and Fredi Gonzalez called on closer Craig Kimbrel, who hit 100 and 101 on the radar gun as Uribe grounded out to second to end the inning. Brian Wilson came on in the bottom of the 8th and continued to dominate as he recorded another perfect inning.

As if the game needed anymore drama, the top of the 9th provided just that. AJ Ellis walked and Dee Gordon was summoned to pinch run and steal second. Unfortunately, a bad call went against the Dodgers and Gordon was called out for two outs in the inning.

Andre Ethier pinch hit and walked with Scott Van Slyke entering to pinch run for him. Crawford came on and struck out against Kimbrel and the series is now tied, 1-1.

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In case you missed it, here’s the Dodgers pool celebration, PLUS Yasiel Puig’s celebration dance off!

http://youtu.be/LknQOqL7uME