Steve Webb
So close! Dodgers’ comeback falls inches short in extra-inning loss to Giants
On a night that was not for the faint of heart, a roller coaster of a game erupted in the late going. Most of the action took place in the final frames after the Dodgers made an impressive comeback and nearly won the game in the ninth. The Giants responded however in their side of the tenth and went on to win the game 8-5 in extra innings.
Deja-vu All Over Again
In a weird turn of events and in back to back games, Brandon Crawford must have been thinking he turned back the clock. Friday Albert Pujols, and then again Saturday Mookie Betts hit sharp liners off the shin of the sure-footed shortstop. Both balls bounding weakly toward the foul line and both nights the batter ending up on second base. That might have been the only Deja-vu of the night as other players fortunes were not so similar this evening.
Pitching Matchup
Walker Buehler started his evening by uncharacteristically walking the first batter he faced on 4 straight balls. Walker settled in after that and escaped the 1st inning on a tidy double play. The second inning he was not so lucky after a passed ball by Smith led to a sacrifice fly to center and allowed the first run of the game to score. The only other run allowed by Buehler was a long home run hit by Steven Duggar in the 5th. Dave Roberts brought in a pinch hitter in the sixth to end Walker’s night and he left he game in a tie.
Buehler found himself in a bit of a jam in his final inning of work when he allowed two baserunners to reach. However, he wriggled out of it as newcomer Yoshi Tsutsugo made a nice running catch to end the sixth with the score still tied.
Anthony DeSclafani, starting for the Giants, was more than fortunate to only give up 2 earned runs in his 4-2/3 innings of work. Matt Beaty, starting at first base, would torch the Giants starter for a home run to even the score in the second inning. Again in the fifth inning Chris Taylor would blister a shot off the glove of Brandon Crawford. The sharp liner would score Justin Turner and the game was tied again.
Bullpen Battle
Mitch White came in the game and pitched a very clean sixth inning. He would strike out the last two batters he faced and the game was tied up after seven. Blake Treinen then came on back-to-back nights. After getting the first batter on strikes, Blake’s night went downhill. A hit batsman and a walk set the table for Buster Posey, who had a milestone at bat. Buster hitting his 150th home run of his career and the Giants lead 5-2 after eight.
Dodgers Thrilling Ninth
The diehards witnessed the Dodgers storm the Giants tying the game in the ninth. Tyler Rodgers had been solid closing games this year for the Giants, gave up 3 runs and the lead. Singles to Turner and Smith, brought Austin Barnes off the bench to hit a three-run dinger and tie the game at 5.
Turn Back the Clock
Next batter Albert Pujols, Oh how we needed the Albert of yesteryear tonight. The Dodger Stadium crowd hushed as Pujols stroked a ball to deep left. Only if Mike Tauchman had a shorter glove this game was over!
Jansen surrenders the lead in 10th
Dave Roberts last leaned on Kenley Jansen going into the tenth and that proved costly. Jansen, going back to back nights, gave up a run scoring double by Evan Longoria double driving in the final 2 runs. Jansen would give up 3 runs in his 2/3 an inning. Going into Saturdays contest both Treinen and Jansen will not be available. What does Dave have up his sleeve, rest assured the game will be close!
Next Up
Game time Saturday is a mid-afternoon 4:15 start. Jose Urias (7-1, 3.03 era) will face Logan Webb (3-3, 4.09 ERA) The Dodgers will welcome back Cody Bellinger!!!!
