Normally when a team is down 7-2 with two innings to go, the chances of winning are very slim. When that team losing is the Dodgers, it's hard to seriously think they would be capable of turning it around for a win.
Well, the darnedest thing happened on Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati: not only did the Dodgers erase a five-run deficit in one inning, they scored four runs in the 11th inning to win a crazy one over the Reds, 11-8.
To say the game featured a roller coaster of emotions for both teams would be a giant understatement. Clayton Kershaw was matched up with Johnny Cueto, so it figured to be a low-scoring game. Of course, when seeing that the final score reflected 19 runs, it goes to show that anything is possible in this sport.
The Dodgers were the first to strike. In the third, Dioner Navarro singled leading off, and went to second on a sacrifice by Kershaw. Jamey Carroll then hit an infield single to put two on. Aaron Miles's sac-fly RBI gave them an early lead at 1-0.
Kershaw was absolutely phenomenal through five innings. He got through the Reds' lineup in order the first time around, and his first hit was in the fourth on a single by Joey Votto, who was soon thrown out stealing. He then struck out the side in the fifth, and it was looking very much like a tight one, similar to Friday night's 2-1 win for the Reds.
Then the sixth came, and it all came apart. Trying to battle through 100 degree heat, Kershaw gave up a leadoff single to Ramon Hernandez. After going to second on a sacrifice by Cueto, Daniel Stubbs took a two-out walk. That would be costly, as Brandon Phillips hit an RBI single to make it 1-1. The big blow then came on a three-run shot by Votto, as the Reds were now up 4-1.
Kemp would play a huge role in this game, and it started with a solo homer to lead off the seventh. Now only down two, Kershaw couldn't get through the bottom of the inning, as Jay Bruce singled to lead off, but was soon erased at home on a single by Paul Janish.
Once again the Dodgers could not close an inning out with two down. Mike MacDougal relieved Kershaw, but he quickly surrendered a two-run single to Chris Heisey, making it 6-2. An RBI double by Stubbs gave the Reds a commanding 7-2 lead.
It's safe to say that not many people were expecting the Dodgers to catch fire and win at this point. About the only way it was possible was for one of their two big guns in Andre Ethier and Kemp to do something huge. Luckily for them, one of them did.
It all started with Nick Masset on in relief and Tony Gwynn singling with one out. Carroll followed with another one, part of his 4-for-5 day with one walk in the leadoff spot now that Rafael Furcal is on the DL again. Miles then hit an RBI single as Carroll advanced to third on an error by Stubbs in the outfield.
Bill Bray was brought in to get Ethier, but instead Ethier walked to load the bases for Kemp. Logan Ondrusek came on with the sole job of keeping Kemp in the park and preserving the lead. Kemp has already had a bunch of big at-bats this season, including a couple of walk-off homers. This one wasn't a walk-off, but it was just as dramatic as he lifted a grand slam to center to tie the game at 7 all.
The game then went into the 11th, where the Dodgers just unloaded on the Reds' bullpen once again. This time it was against poor Carlos Fisher, who gave up a single to Juan Castro leading off, and another single to Gwynn an out later. What followed were two straight RBI singles by Carroll and Miles, a run scored on an error by Fisher off the bat of Ethier, and an RBI groundout by Kemp. All in all, it was now 11-7.
Javy Guerra stayed on to pitch the 11th after wiggling out of a little bit of trouble in the previous inning. Ryan Hannigan singled to start, then went to second on a wild pitch. After getting Fred Lewis grounding out, Don Mattingly went with Ramon Troncoso.
Troncoso retired Janish, but the run scored to make it 11-8. Singles by Heisey and Stubbs sent the tying run to the plate in the dangerous Brandon Phillips. Phillips, though, lined out to right to end the game at 3 hours and 58 minutes.
Kemp will be remembered as the hero, as his two homers and six RBIs led the comeback charge. Games like this should help his push for a starting spot in the All-Star game. I know he's trailing behind guys like Ryan Braun, Matt Holliday, and Lance Berkman, but there's still time for him to make a push. He's definitely deserving of a starting nod after another clutch performance today.
Let's not forget a few others who were huge in this one. Carroll continues to plug along despite not getting much attention. He reached base five times and showed he can produce leading off. Miles went 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBIs hitting behind Carroll. Gwynn was a late sub and still went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Kershaw went from one extreme to the other, and ended up going six innings for six hits, six runs, two walks, and nine strikeouts. The bullpen deserves a hand, as MacDougal, Scott Elbert, Matt Guerrier, Guerra, and Troncoso combined for 4 1/3 innings of two-run ball. Not bad considering both teams combined for 19 runs on 28 hits on the day.
As sweet as this win was, winning Sunday would be even better. That would give the Dodgers a road series victory over a team that was picked to contend in the National League. It will be up to Chad Billingsley, who has won his previous two starts, to keep the momentum going forward.
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