May 24, 2018

Winning the Series

It was the last game of a 3 game series with the Rockies. The Dodgers were hoping to win the series. The Dodgers has won 6 out of the last 7 games and the D Backs have hit the skids as everyone predicted losing the last 7. Colorado is in first place, only 1/2 game ahead of the D Backs and 3 1/2 games ahead of the Dodgers. The Dodgers have yet to be a .500 ballclub but they are headed in the right direction.

It was Military Appreciation Day as well as Cal Poly Day. I noticed many veterans in the stands. Hats off to all of them and thanks for their service.

I, of course, had a special ticket to get a hat. The hat is pretty awesome.

It was a splendid day for a ball game. The weather was in the 60’s which to me is perfect. The sun was peaking through the clouds.

Joc stopped to sign but pretty much everyone else rushed through. I had pics for Yasmani but he ignored me so I guess I’ll just trash those nice pictures. Too bad for him.

I went to the Club to eat and was happy to see Yoshiko. She is making a move to Texas soon which makes me sad. She invited me to come visit and see the Cowboys play. She has season tickets.

The sirloin and chicken were yummy. I hurried back to the field. Unfortunately my usual spot was occupied so I moved over to another spot where Mikey and his Dad were.

Good to see Alyssa and friend.

Kenta was just making his way down the field.

Austin, who was catching Kenta, was already on the field. They have a nice rhythm and work well together. I was wearing Austin’s ST jersey since I promised him I would when he started. It has been a good luck jersey so far.

They came out to stretch.

Uh yeah….this shoulder.

This definitely doesn’t look like a Support Dog.

National Anthem. The NFL has laid down the law that there will be no kneeling during the National Anthem and if that is an impossibility for the player, they can stay in the locker room. I guess after losing many sponsors and fans, they finally took that step. I have yet to see an MLB player kneel and you figure many of them are not even US citizens. I love my baseball players.

With the military color guard. Very moving. The whole ceremony to me was emotional probably because my son is active duty Navy. When you think about what these young men and veterans have given up, how can you not be touched? Justin Turner and his wife Kourtney have been instrumental through the Dodgers Dream Foundation in opening up temporary housing and help for female veterans. Justin always shakes the Veteran of the Day’s hand and gives him an autographed ball at the dugout.

Here come Kenta and Austin. Hi Kenta. I yelled out “Good game Austin!” He nodded.

There goes Justin

and Kike

Suuueee!

First pitch. Maeda pitched a super game. He struck out 12 and had 6 scoreless innings. He allowed only 2 hits.

In the 1st inning, Nolan Arenado walked but was left on base. In the bottom of the 1st, the Dodgers were out in order.

In the top of the 2nd inning, the Rockies were out in order. It’s going well. Usually with our Dodger starting pitchers, the dangerous time is the first couple of innings. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, the Dodgers were also out in order.

In the top of the 3rd inning, Kyle Freeland walked but was left on base with a double play.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning, the Dodgers started their offense.

Puig singled on a ground ball to right field.

Kenta laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt with Yasiel going to 2nd.

Chris Taylor took one for the team and walked. Unfortunately he was left on base.

In the top of the 4th inning, the Rockies were all struck out.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, Justin singled to center.

Kike singled to right with Justin going to 2nd.

Logan hit a ground rule double scoring Justin. We are on the board. 1-0.

Always a lot of dramatics with Yasiel when he is up. He hit a fielders choice scoring Kike and ended up on 2nd. Way to go Yasiel.

A little dirty on the play. 2-0.

Kenta was almost hit by a pitch and then struck out ending the inning.

In the top of the 5th inning, Ian Desmond singled. First hit for the Rockies. He was left on base.

In the bottom of the 5th inning, Chris walked.

Austin ground into a force out with Chris out at 2nd. Real hustle for the fleet footed Austin. Is he actually smiling??? 🙂

Justin singled with Austin going to 3rd.

Matt hit a sacrifice double play with Austin scoring. Austin was fast enough to score before the out at 2nd which was the 3rd out. 3-0. The picture of Austin scoring is blurry because he was so quick.

In the top of the 6th inning, Blackmon walked and Dahl singled but Arenado and Parra both struck out. Kenta was on fire.

In the bottom of the 6th inning the Dodgers were out in order.

In the top of the 7th inning, Chris Iannetta walked and Kenta was yanked out and replaced with Petey Baez. Fingers crossed. Carlos Gonzalez lined out. Three out. Whew!!!

In the bottom of the 7th inning Joc Pederson doubled.

He quit doing the crotch grabbing to stretch. Someone must have told him.

Chris Taylor walked.

The Rockies are probably wondering where this offense was coming from. They changed pitchers.

In the top of the 8th inning, there were several defensive switches with Joc remaining in the game, Cody at 1st, Scott Alexander replacing Petey. Blackmon singled. Uh oh. But Dahl ground into a double play. Dodger fans were on their feet.

In the bottom of the 8th inning, the Dodgers were out in order.

The guys were watching with interest as Kenley came out to close the game. It is much more fun to win.

Austin and Kenley discussed the game plan. Austin has been fantastic behind the plate. He definitely knew the key to defeating the Rockies. He needs to have the opportunity to play more.

Kenley was magnificent.

Even though there is an easier and safer way to get on the field, most of the Dodgers jump over the rail, even the silver fox.

The Dodgers won the series before a crowd of 45,884. Surprising that there were 2,000 more fans at this game than at the game the night before which was the Corey Bobblehead giveaway day. There was no giveaway on Wednesday. I notice that when the Dodgers are winning, there are more fans. I call them the fair weather fans.

The tide seems to have turned. The Dodgers are only 3 1/2 games out of first place. They have yet to be a .500 ballclub but that will come. The Padres are in last place but they are only 5 1/2 games out of first place. The western division isn’t a very strong division but not as bad as AL central. First place Cleveland is barely over .500 with .511.

Thursday is a day off. On Friday the Dodgers will face the Padres with Ross Stripling 1-1 ERA 2.08. He has gone from bullpen to starting pitcher and back again. He will face Clayton Richard 3-5 ERA 4.87.

In closing, I borrowed a pic from Jon SooHoo of Ian Desmond going over the rail to make a fantastic catch. It looks similar to the the one of my son and i when Gabe Kepler came over the rail and robbed Russell Martin of a homerun. It was ESPN play of the week and also the play of the year.