Despite many high-priced acquisitions and multi-millionaires on the roster, when the Dodgers needed a late lift to tie the Cardinals, they turned to little known Luis Cruz.
Well, Cruz might not be so unknown anymore, as he once again gave the Dodgers the big hit they needed.
Down by a run against the Cardinals and closer Jason Motte in the ninth, Cruz lined a game-tying double to center to tie it, and Juan Rivera's walk-off single gave the Dodgers the win, 4-3. After all of that, both teams are now deadlocked for the second Wild Card spot in the NL.
With news before the game that Clayton Kershaw could possibly be lost for the rest of the season with lingering hip issues, it was even more depressing watching Joe Blanton give up a couple of runs in the first. Matt Holliday singled with two outs. Allen Craig whacked the first pitch he saw out to left center for a two-run shot, and it was 2-0.
The Dodgers got one back in the bottom half, thanks to some shoddy Cardinals' defense, though. Shane Victorino grounded one to Daniel Descalso at short, and he nearly threw it into the stands for an error. Keep in mind that Descalso is playing in place of old friend Rafael Furcal, who's lost for the season. Also keep in mind that his "defense" will play a big role in this game later on.
Matt Kemp struck out as part of another miserable night for two down. Victorino stole second, one of three swiped bases for the Dodgers on the night against Yadier Molina, something I doubt anyone saw coming. Adrian Gonzalez came through with an RBI single, making it 2-1.
As Blanton began to settle down, it was Mark Ellis who provided the power in the third. His leadoff homer tied the game at 2-2. It was his sixth of the season, which is about five more than I guessed he would have all year. Hey, no disrespect to him, I love the guy. In fact, for a five-year stretch from 2005-2009, he had double-digit homers, so maybe it's not as rare as I think.
Blanton set down 13 in a row as he went into the sixth, where he walked opposing pitcher Jaime Garcia leading off. That would not be a good thing, as John Jay singled for two on. Matt Carpenter stuck out for one down, then Blanton got Holliday to ground into what looked like an inning ending double play. But, on a bang-bang play at first, Holliday was called safe, as Don Mattingly argued to no avail.
Sure enough, Craig burned the Dodgers again with an RBI single, putting the Cardinals back up 3-2.
If you thought the Cardinals had a slump when they failed to reach base for 13 straight hitters, then the Dodgers blew that away as the game progressed. After Ellis's homer to start the third, it was a whole bunch of nothing until the ninth. Just how dry was the offensive well? Victorino walked right after the homer in the third, Blanton reached on another Descalso error in the fifth, and that was it. A whole lot of swings, and a whole lot of nothing to show for it.
Even with that, it was still only a one-run game entering the bottom of the ninth. Gonzalez flew out to center leading off and Hanley Ramirez struck out swinging for two quick outs. Andre Ethier had two strikes on him, but he kept things alive with a single into right. Dee Gordon pinch-ran and just got in safely stealing second in a big play.
I'm convinced that Cruz is now Dodger Stadium's favorite player, and he scorched one into deep center that was just ahead of the outstretched dive of Jay in center, brining home the tying run. Rivera hit for A.J. Ellis, and he lined one off the a jumping Descalso at second, allowing pinch-runner Elian Herrera to win the game. Probably a catchable ball, but the Dodgers will gladly take a break going their way.
If Dodger fans were looking for a reason to believe that these boys really can turn things around, then this was it. It was just an awesome scene at the end of the game watching the place go wild as Cruz and Rivera were mobbed by their teammates. That's what makes watching baseball so exciting.
Perhaps best of all was that fact that they did it against one of the best closers in the game, Motte. His 34 saves rank him only two behind Craig Kimbrel for tops in the NL. So, this wasn't an easy guy to comeback against by any means.
Of course, anytime your team puts up blanks for about 5-6 straight innings, it's hard to consistently win, so the offensive problems are still there. Kemp again suffered through an 0-for-4 night, as he continues to look lost. As a whole, they only had six hits and one walk, and reached on a couple errors by Descalso. Cruz and Rivera made people forget about all of that for the most part. They still have plenty of room for improvement.
Blanton shook off a bad opening frame to pitch pretty well, as he lasted 5 2/3 innings for four hits, three runs, one walk, and six strikeouts. For the second straight night, the bullpen was fantastic. Jamey Wright, Paco Rodriguez, Randy Choate, and Ronald Belisario (who got the win) pitched the final 3 1/3 without surrendering a run, allowing only two hits. That's some great stuff.
Sunday is the perfect opportunity for the Dodgers to take full command of their own fate, as a win would give them three of four and sole possession of that second Wild Card spot. It's a shame Kershaw can't go, but young Stephen Fife has a chance to show his stuff. He'll take on Adam Wainwright.
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