April 26, 2018

Losing Again

I support the Dodgers 100% but I wonder now whether there is something wrong. Usually we can depend on a victory when Clayton pitches but that isn’t the case anymore. We also could bank on the fact that the game would be short. Not anymore. The last series was played against the Miami Marlins who a lot of folks called a Triple A team. So much for that since they won the series against the Dodgers.

I started the day off very optimistically. It was early batting practice as usual.

Will and Kenta

It’s interesting to see Yasmani out stretching with the other guys.

The smart way to carry your glove.

A few sprints

Twin dressing

One of my prized possessions is my Austin Barnes autographed Spring Training jersey. I promised him I would wear it every time he started. He was so nice when he autographed it for me.

I asked him how his hand was. Someone had told me he had cut it sliding into base. He said “no worries.” Thank goodness. He is quickly becoming my favorite player.

Kenley

I almost couldn’t leave the club because the food was so delicious. There were Moroccan carrot lettuce wraps, lava tube stuffed baguettes, honey mustard grilled pork chop with chicharron, creamy Tuscany chicken and New England steak medallions with crab. How is that for an amazing spread?

It was a great day when it came to new and familiar friends

There goes Yasmani

I worry about Clayton. He’s not the same.

He did his usual stretches. Nothing different there.

It was almost a cloudless sky

Everything seemed to be OK.

A photo of a photographer

Corey. The shadows were playing tricks on me.

Chris

Kike

Corey was the only one who signed and took selfies. My friend Rosa never did get her bobblehead head signed. So close but no go.

The National Anthem

Matt’s hair gets bigger and bigger

Here they come!!

Here she comes

First pitch. And here starts one of Kershaw’s worst games.

The game started out as we expected with Clayton striking out the side in the first inning.

Yasmani walked but was left on base.

You could see the frustration on Cody’s face when he struck out.

In the top of the 2nd inning, Brian Anderson singled, Justin Bour singled and with a wild pitch, Anderson went to 3rd base. Miguel Rojas (once a Dodger) walked. Somehow Clayton got out of that inning.

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, the Dodgers were out in order. No run support.

In the top of the 3rd inning Starlin Castro walked but thankfully was left on base.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning Clayton tried to give himself run support by singling to left field. Unfortunately he was left on base. We were all starting to see a familiar pattern.

In the top of the 4th inning, Maybin doubled, Rojas hit a single, Brinson walked. Clayton again was able to get out of the inning. We all were wondering what was wrong.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, the Dodgers were again out in order. I was already eyeing the exit.

In the top of the 5th inning, Justin Bour walked, Maybin walked. Then the final blow was Rojas’ 3 run homerun. 0-3. The exit looked even more inviting. The game felt pretty much over. Clayton didn’t have his stuff. In fact, he really had no stuff.

Chase walked in the bottom of the 5th inning.

Clayton was already over 100 pitches by this time so Austin came in to pinch hit for him. He walked, Chase to 2nd. They were left on base. Lost opportunities. This was becoming an agonizing trend for the Dodgers.

In the top of the 6th inning, JT Realmuto who is killing the Dodgers hit a solo homerun making the score 0-4. Castro then doubled but was left on base. By that time, the Dodgers only had one hit: Kershaw’s. Pretty sad.

In the bottom of the 6th inning, Corey walked.

Cody singled, Corey to 2nd.

Joc singled to right field scoring Corey. 1-4. Finally a run!

In the top of the 7th inning, with Adam Liberatore pitching, Justin Bour walked. The torture continues. He was left on base.

In the bottom of the 7th inning, the Dodgers still can’t get any offense going.

In the top of the 8th inning, Scott Alexander continued the sad pitching. JB Shuck singled and then Realmuto hit a 2 run homerun. 1-6. The exit was getting more appealing to me. Castro singled but was left on base. It was feeling like a lost game again. Sadly it’s become a reoccurring emotion.

I was on my way to the other side of the stadium when Cody doubled and then Matt Kemp hit a 2 run homerun. 3-6. I sat down. Joc singled but was left on base when Chase was called out on strikes.

In the top of the 9th inning, errors plagued the Dodgers and made a win impossible. Corey and Chase both made errors which made the score 3-8. Time to pack it up and leave.

Not one to give it up, Kike tripled in the bottom of the 9th inning.

Kyle Farmer ground out but scored Kike. 4-8. Corey singled. Yasmani hit a 2 run homerun making the score 6-8. If it weren’t for the errors, it would have been a tie score at this point.

The last place Marlins were able to win the series against the Dodgers. Time for some soul searching. The Dodgers are on the road for their longest road trip. I won’t see them for 13 days. I hope they can get their ducks in a row.

They really don’t look happy. Matt’s face says it all. He hit that huge homerun but the Dodgers still couldn’t win. Their spirit won’t be broke. I still support them no matter what.