Dodgers Game Recap May 31, 2015

Since losing two rotation spots for the year in Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy, Brett Anderson’s role has grown more important now pitching directly behind Kershaw and Greinke. The 6’ 3” lefty has put up an ERA around league average of 3.47 but the most important and surprising number has been his innings. He had only pitched 49 innings coming into Sunday’s outing but that is the highest count he has had since he pitched just 83 in 2011. This was the biggest question mark after the Dodgers front office signed him to a 1 year deal this off season and continues to be just as important with the losses mentioned before. After splitting the first two games in St. Louis, Anderson was facing off against Carlos Martinez.

The Beginning (Innings 1-3):       The Cardinals started the scoring with a Matt Carpenter single followed by a Jhonny Peralta homerun, putting the Dodgers in yet another hole away from Dodger Stadium. Anderson also had some trouble in the 2^nd with two on and two outs but was saved by a slick backhanded stop by Jimmy Rollins. Although the Dodgers shortstop has been a clear upgrade defensively, he has continued to struggle with the bat and his 8^th spot in the lineup reflected that poor performance. The Dodgers as a team also had troubles with the bat as they went scoreless and after 3 innings they were down 2-0.

The Middle (Innings 4-6):             Boring. One might say that the pitching was exceptional except these innings were peppered with walks and long at bats. Alas neither team managed to cross home plate and so after 6 the score stood still at 2-0.

The End (Innings 7-9):                    Not as boring. Anderson went out after 6 innings allowing just the two runs from the 1^st. Dodgers reliever Chris Hatcher came in and retired the side in the 7^th but found some trouble in the 8^th. He walked two of the first three batters and after being pulled for Yimi Garcia, that Peralta guy again singled in the Cardinals third run. The Dodgers initial and only run came courtesy of a Joc Pederson home run in the top of the 8^th, his 13^th on the year. This capped a most Joc Pederson type of day with a walk, strikeout, and home run. Even after two 2-out walks in the 9^th, the Dodgers fell to the final score of 3-1. This loss puts them at 29-19 for the year and, depending on the outcome of the Giants game, will either be in 1^st or 2^nd in the division by a half game.