It's a good thing the Dodgers weren't playing in their last game of the season on Tuesday night, because a loss like this would leave a bad taste in their mouths... even if they aren't in playoff contention.
The Dodgers scored five runs in the top of the 10th to go up 6-1, then gave them all right back as the Diamondbacks stunned everyone, 7-6. For the DBacks, the win was big as they are still battling for that second seed in the playoffs.
For the Dodgers, it was one final reminder of why they've been long out of the postseason mix.
In looking at the final score, it's hard to believe that the game's starting pitchers, Hiroki Kuroda and rookie Jarrod Parker, were both fantastic. They both combined to pitch 11 2/3 innings without allowing a run.
It took until the seventh inning for a run to be scored, and it was first from the Dodgers. With one out, Rod Barajas singled and Jamey Carroll walked. Tony Gwynn then forced Carroll at second as pinch-runner Eugenio "o'fer" Valez advanced to third. Dee Gordon hit an RBI single into left to go up 1-0, but was gunned down at second for the final out.
The DBacks responded right away, which was their calling card for the night. Matt Guerrier relieved Kuroda and was terrible. He walked Chris Young right away and then gave up an RBI double to Lyle Overbay to tie the game. Scott Elbert walked his only batter in Aaron Hill, but Mike MacDougal did a great job in getting out of the inning still tied.
Both teams put runners on in the ninth, but came up empty, so it was off to extra innings. The DBacks sent Micah Owings to the hill, and boy was he awful. Gordon doubled right off the bat, then scored when Owings threw away a grounder from Jerry Sands at first. Matt Kemp stroked an RBI single, and it was 3-1.
The runs kept coming, as with one out, James Loney's RBI single made it 4-1. Miles drew a walk to put two on. The big blow was a two-run triple from A.J. Ellis to put the Dodgers in a commanding 6-1 lead.
With a five-run lead late in the game, you would think Don Mattingly could put just about any of his pitchers on the mound and get three outs. So, Blake Hawksworth got that honored distinction. Three outs before five runs? Yes, it seemed possible.
Until it wasn't. Oh, Hawksworth did get the first couple of outs with ease. Then came the onslaught. Connor Gillespie and Miguel Montero both singled, as they both soon were in scoring position. Young drew a walk to load the bases.
Josh McDonald hit a hard one to Miles at third that should've ended the game, but Miles couldn't handle it, and a run scored to make it 6-2. Javy Guerra was then given the ball, but forced in a run by walking Hill, and it was now 6-3.
Still, the Dodgers had a big lead, and just need one more damn out. Did it happen? Nope. Ryan Roberts lined the first pitch he saw out to left for the walk-off grand slam. Simply stunning.
I know the Dodgers aren't playing for anything, but regardless, this was a really tough loss. They looked every bit the team that was lifeless for the most of the season, and not the team that has really turned it on since the middle of August. Their bullpen and defense betrayed them at the worst possible moment.
Lost in all of this was the possible last career start of Kuroda, who might be back in Japan next season. He went six innings for five hits, no runs, no walks, and five strikeouts. He ends the season with a 13-16 record, 3.07 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 161 strikeouts in 202 innings. The wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched are career highs.
Kuroda was never someone who got a lot of recognition, but Dodger fans know just how valuable he's been. Over his four-year career, he's 41-46 with a 3.45 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. He also was a big part of the Dodgers' postseason success in 2008, going 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. If he really is done with the Dodgers, I'll really miss the steady hand he provided every fifth day.
As for Hawksworth, while the error by Miles certainly wasn't his fault, the three hitters he allowed to reach base with two outs before that was. He had an ERA at the end of July of 2.95. But two horrible months since then has pushed it up to 4.08. It's hard to imagine him being back next season with such a lousy end to this one.
Right now the Dodgers are at 81-79. Last season they went 80-82. So win or lose on Wednesday, they improved ever so slightly. But, it's a pretty nice accomplishment considering all the crap going on in the organization and the bad stretch of play they endured for much of the season. The fact that they even got over .500 is something not even the most positive of Dodgers' supporters could have envisioned.
The final game of the season will see Ted Lilly take the mound against Joe Saunders. Since the DBacks are still trying to get home field advantage in the first round, it will certainly be a meaningful game. Playing a bit of a spoiler would be a cool way to end the season.
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