Monday, June 22, 2009

Kobe likes watching the Dodgers take the Freeway Series

Before the game even started, the Dodgers got a bit of luck on their side - Kobe Bryant showed up behind their dugout. His good vibes must have rubbed off, as the Dodgers got a big win to claim the Freeway Series, 5-3.

The win was especially big for young Clayton Kershaw, who showed the kind of dominance that can become a staple of his for years to come. He pitched seven shutout innings, giving up four hits, four walks, and five strikeouts. It seems like he's either brilliant or lousy, and the last two starts have been the former with 12 and 2/3 scoreless innings.

Both Kershaw and John Lackey held the offenses in check over the beginning four innings. Of course, the Dodgers loaded the bases in the fourth, and in following with their tradition of taking a walk or not getting a hit, they didn't get a hit. At least James Loney lined out to third rather than striking out.

Juan Pierre had a big night, and it all started in the fifth. Matt Kemp lead off with a single and advanced on Brad Ausmus' bunt. Pierre then laced a double to right to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.

The bottom of the fifth was the Angels' biggest chance to score, but they came up empty. Kershaw loaded the bases with nobody down on two walks and a fielder's choice that was botched. Bobby Abreu could've really made his mark on this game...

...and he did, by grounding into a double play, pitcher to home to first. Torii Hunter then popped out, and it was a huge bullet dodged. Kershaw cruised after that.

More runs were tacked on, starting with another RBI double by Pierre in the seventh to go up 2-0. Loney just hit a two-run homer that was held up by video replay to make it 4-0 in the eighth. Casey Blake's RBI single in the ninth was another insurance run.

Jonathan Broxton was asked to get a four-out save, and it wasn't an easy ride. Hunter's RBI double and Juan Rivera's run-scoring single slashed it to 5-3. Blake made a nice stop of a hot grounder from Matt Napoli to end the game.

After dropping Friday's game, one in which they had every chance to win, it's once again to the Dodgers' credit to fight back and win. To say they've had very little success in Anaheim would be an understatement. Watching them get two of three was fantastic.

A day off comes Monday, followed by more Interleague play in Chicago against the White Sox. Hiroki Kuroda looked for his second win of the year on Tuesday. He also looks to get back on track after two bad starts.

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