On a night where Fernandomania was relived with Fernando Valenzuela Bobblehead Night, Clayton Kershaw did his best to remind everyone what those glory days looked like.
Kershaw needed 125 pitches to get through 6 2/3 innings, but he he gave up only two runs as the Dodgers got their fourth straight win over the Rockies, 3-2. As the Rockies continue to stink, the Dodgers are looking at taking over third place in the NL West, as they're only a half game back.
The start of the game showed what kind of a night was in store for Kershaw, as he certainly had to work hard to get through the innings. With one out, Jonathan Herrera grounded to short, but Juan Rivera flat out dropped the ball on the throw. Todd Helton walked, and after both men advanced on a wild pitch, Kershaw got Troy Tulowitzki and Ty Wiggington to avoid any damage.
Kershaw got a double play ball to end the third off the bat of Helton, and avoided trouble after Tulowitzki doubled leading off the fourth. Through four innings, Kershaw had only given up two hits, but flirted with some trouble.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, they would be handed a gift in the fourth. Rafael Furcal hit a fly ball to Wiggington in left, and like Rivera in the first, he inexplicably dropped it for the error. I guess both teams were even at that point. The difference is that the Dodgers took advantage of it. Andre Ethier walked for two on. Matt Kemp hit a two-run double to center for the 2-0 lead. An out later, Rivera lifted a sac-fly RBI to score Kemp and go up 3-0.
The Rockies finally broke through in the fifth after dropping many opportunities before. It all started with two outs as Dexter Fowler singled. Herrera singled to put runners on the corners. Helton just found a hole into right for the RBI single to make it 3-1.
In the seventh, the Rockies put more pressure on Kershaw and forced him from the game. Eric Young pinch-hit and singled leading off. Fowler again singled for runners on first and third. Herra grounded out to first, putting runners in scoring position. Helton also grounded to first, but Fowler scored, and it was 3-2. Matt Guerrier came on to get Tulowitski to fly to center.
Guerrier would stay on to pitch the eighth and get through it in order. With Javy Guerra given the day off for rest, Don Mattingly called on the red hot Kenley Jansen to finish it off. He did just that, striking out Seth Smith and Fowler to end the game. It was his second save and extended his scoreless inning streak to 16.
It certainly wasn't easy, but Kershaw ended up improving his record to 12-4 by going 6 2/3 innings for eight hits, two runs, two walks, and six strikeouts. His 12 wins are tied for tops in the NL with Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, and Jair Jurrjens. His 173 strikeouts are by far first in the NL, and four above Justin Verlander for the lead in the majors.
Bottom line, it was great to see Kershaw get a win when he didn't have his best outing. That shows just how good he is. He didn't need to be top-notch to still give his team a good chance to win. When the Rockies had great opportunities to score, he stepped up and delivered his best pitches.
There wasn't much happening offensively for the Dodgers, as they only gathered four hits, one walk, and one beaning. The dropped ball by Wiggington obviously gave them momentum, as that's the only inning they scored. They still may have very well put up some runs, but who knows how many if that first out is made.
With a win on Wednesday night, the Dodgers will earn a three-game sweep and third place in the NL West. That sure as heck didn't seem likely a week ago when they lost four of six games. But at home, they've won eight of their last nine, so at least they've found a groove there. The Rockies look like they've fallen apart, which is pretty surprising.
The trade deadline is looming Sunday, so this may very well be the last start Hiroki Kuroda will make as a Dodger. It's no secret that he's been sought after. I really like Kuroda, but the Dodgers have to make a move if they get some good prospects. Why not? It's not like they're a playoff team, so let's look to the future.
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