The Clayton & Manny Show
April 18, 2010 at 7:08 pm | Posted in Clayton Kershaw, Jonathan Broxton, Manny Ramirez | 10 Comments
Winning a game on the backs of your best players – that’s the way it’s supposed to work, isn’t it? You wouldn’t have thought a day that started with Vin Scully’s 60th anniversary and the long-awaited release of Russ Ortiz could get any better, but indeed it did.
Clayton Kershaw shook off his mediocre first two starts to make it into the 8th inning, striking out 9 and allowing 1 run - yet still nearly lost the game since Barry Zito took a shutout into the 8th himself. It was Kershaw’s second longest career start, behind only his outing last July in which he tossed 8 full shutout innings (in a game the Dodgers ended up losing). Remember, Kershaw didn’t get the win in either that game or this one (or his 13-strikeout game against the Giants last April). Do I really have to give you the line about “wins” again?
Of course, even though Kershaw made it that far into the game, it still didn’t even save the bullpen as much as you’d think, since after allowing Kershaw to start the 8th, Joe Torre used three pitchers to get an out apiece in the frame – Jeff Weaver, George Sherrill, and Ramon Troncoso. Jonathan Broxton followed with a perfect 9th, meaning that despite the starter going into the 8th, five pitchers had to be used. Still, with a day off tomorrow, that’s hardly a huge concern right now.
For a while, it looked like the Dodger offense would squander the starting outing they’d been waiting so long for, since the much-maligned Zito matched Kershaw for much of the game. That, of course, lasted only until Manny came off the bench to launch the second pinch-homer of his career (after the Bobbleslam last year).
Remember how down everyone was just 24 hours ago, after watching Charlie Haeger toss up duck after duck and the offense get shut down by Tim Lincecum? Amazing what a difference a day can make. Is there anything better than a pinch-homer from your biggest star, at home, against your biggest rival, on the last game of a homestand, on a day that already started off so auspiciously? I think not.
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It’s no coincidence that the day that Russ Ortiz is DFA’d that the Dodgers turned in a gem of a game with great pitching from Kershaw and the pen. I suspect that when Ramon Ortiz is sent packing we might see a perfect game!
Comment by Jeff— April 18, 2010 #
Another Dodger/Giant classic. Great game, great win.
Comment by mk— April 18, 2010 #
It just doesn’t get much better than that!!! Great outing by Kershaw, Torre somehow not screwing it up with his misuse of the pen, Manny with the big pinch homer, and Broxton nailing it down in the ninth. After the game, I switched DirecTV to the ’70′s station just in time to hear the lyrics, “It’s only the Beginning.”
Go Big Blue!
Comment by SamAdams— April 18, 2010 #
I just got back from the game. I saw Link go out to the bullpen before the game, and I had my fingers crossed they had DFA’d Ortiz. I got awesome tickets from StubHub for about half price. They were on the home field baseline, and before the game both Ethier and Kemp came up and were signing autographs literally 2 feet in front of me. Ethier was taking pictures with kids and actually interacting with fans. Kemp and the others who came up (Ellis and Carroll, I think) were expressionless the entire time. They said nothing and didn’t react to anything anyone said. They didn’t even nod when people told them thanks. It was … weird. Anyway, I didn’t walk over and get Ethier’s signature, but since Kemp was literally right in front of me, I stuck my free giveaway hat out and he signed it. If only this had happened when I 12…
Anyway, the game was great. Pitching duels are better appreciated in front of a television, but the 8th and 9th made everything perfect. The crowd was on its feet during Manny’s entire at bat, anticipating the home run. It was … awesome.
Comment by johnclevenger— April 18, 2010 #
I was there too. It was probably in the top 3, if not the top 2, best regular season games I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing.
It had every element you want in a game. Blowouts are fun at first, but when there’s no competition and your team is ahead, it becomes: “Can this thing end yet?” It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Southern California. A sunny baseball day, but cool and breezy in the shade of our seats. Dodgers-Giants. Great lefty pitching duel, a dramatic pinch-hit homer, and a great close with big Brox being simply awesome.
Comment by Harrison— April 18, 2010 #
Love these reports, guys. Sounds like a total blast.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— April 19, 2010 #
Well when are you gonna move out this way Mike? Only downside…the music scene hear is not as good as the East Coast, or even up north in San Fran. My band has had a super hard time catching on in LA (though we have had success elsewhere).
Comment by Harrison— April 20, 2010 #
The thought has crossed my mind more and more lately. What band are you in?
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— April 20, 2010 #
God what a great day. Russ Ortiz DFA’d AND a win in such a dramatic fashion? Its like having your cake, eating said cake and finding a trillion dollar bill in your pocket. Happy happy day. Now off to Cuba!
Comment by EephusBlue— April 19, 2010 #
Juan Pierre just moved ahead of Delino Deshields in all time stolen bases. LOL
Comment by Table— April 20, 2010 #