When you look on paper and see "Clayton Kershaw vs. Tim Lincecum," you knew that the team that scored the first run would probably be at a huge advantage.
It took until the seventh inning, but the Dodgers made that happen.
Dioner Navarro led off with a solo shot into MaCovey Cove, and Kershaw and Javy Guerra made it hold up as the Dodgers got an afternoon win, 1-0. That win snaps a four-game losing streak, and avoids a sweep in San Francisco.
Both pitchers came into the game with sub-3.00 ERA's, and they showed why they're two of the top young dogs in the majors. Actually, take away the word "young," because that doesn't even matter. They're both that good now.
Scoring chances were few and far between, but Tony Gwynn did lead the game off with a single and advanced to second on a bad throw. With two outs he stole third, but was stranded when Matt Kemp flew out.
In the third, Gwynn walked with two outs and Rafael Furcal singled. This time it was Andre Ethier who couldn't come through, as he flew out. Juan Rivera doubled in the fourth with an out, went to third, but was left there.
Then the seventh came, and Navarro got into a Lincecum pitch into deep right. The shot was somewhat historic, as it was only the second time a Dodger has hit into the cove. The last? Believe it or not, Todd Hundley in 2000, the year AT&T Park opened. Wow.
With Kershaw dealing, the Dodgers had a golden opportunity to add to their lead in the eighth. Raffy and Ethier both walked leading off, which chased Lincecum. Sergio Romo came on and was untouchable, striking out Kemp and Rivera before getting Navarro to fly to center.
Kershaw ended his day at 112 pitches by striking out the side in the eighth. He was pinch-hit for in the ninth, so Javy Guerra came on looking for his sixth save. It worked, as even though Pablo Sandoval and Cody Ross hit hard, they were retired, and Brandon Belt K'd to end the game.
It's almost impossible to look better than Lincecum, but Kershaw did just that. He went eight strong innings for three hits, no runs, one walk, and 12 strikeouts. That's just amazing. He's now 11-4 with a 2.72 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. The best part was that he actually looked stronger as the day wore on, and he was pitching in the hot afternoon sun. That was awesome to watch.
As for Navarro, his day was pretty much a roller coaster of emotions. He had two errors on a couple of horrendous attempts at throwing out runners stealing second. I mean it looked JaMarcus Russell-like. That's how off those throws were. Then he stepped up in the seventh and delivered the big hit his team needed. What a relief that was.
On a day where the Dodgers fired hitting coach Jeff Pentland and promoted Dave Hansen, the Dodgers were still hampered by the same old problem: lack of timely hitting. They left nine on base, and seven of those were in scoring position with two outs. Granted they were facing Lincecum, but those stats have popped up against all types of pitchers. Hansen sure has his work cut out for him.
It's not often you get to beat a pitcher like Lincecum, so the Dodgers should enjoy this as they enter an off day on Thursday. They will then return home and welcome the Nationals for three. Hiroki Kuroda, who's the subject of trade rumors (and rightfully so to his credit) will go on Friday.
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