Walk Off

Wednesday was the second game of a 2 game series with the Rangers. It was another warm day. I was back at my regular seat after having sat in Lexus Dugout on Tuesday. It was actually good to be back in my usual spot. I felt like I had been on a holiday. Being in the Dugout Club is a little surreal.

It was early batting practice as usual.

Same time, same place, same guys. It’s a comfort to be in a routine.

Kike and Chase usually win for strangest look during batting practice.

The team went in early so I didn’t see anyone at the dugout. It was a good time to go to the club to eat.

Ahhhh eggplant Parmesan…one of my favorites. It was absolutely wonderful. I ate two helpings.

Buffalo chicken sliders

Meatballs which went perfectly with the eggplant.

Some yummy salads

And then I was ready to go out to the field again.

Kenta Maeda warming up on the field

Austin Barnes was also warming up. He was Kenta’s backstop. I was wearing Austin’s jersey since I had told him I would do so every time he started. It’s the good luck jersey.

Kenta was looking good. He had just come off of DL with a hip injury.

Greg and Norma

And they all came out to warm up before the game.

Kike did his own personal stretching and even did some pushups. Being flexible certainly came in handy at the end of the game.

National Anthem

They all left the field without signing…even Cody didn’t sign for the kids. One of those days.

Suuuueeee!

Kenta and Austin along with Will the translator. Did you notice that Austin rarely smiles?

Getting ready for the first pitch..each pitcher has his own little ritual. Kenta is no exception.

First pitch

In the top of the first inning, Delino DeShields was hit by a pitch. Mazara ground into a double play.

In the bottom of the 1st inning, Dodgers scored first with a Justin Turner solo homerun to left field. 1-0.

In the top of the 2nd inning the Rangers were out in order.

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Cody walked

Yasiel walked

Logan ground into a force out with Yasiel to 2nd, Cody out at 3rd.

With Austin batting, Yasiel stole 3rd base and then scored. 2-0. Error on Beltre. Somehow Austin was involved in 2 of the 3 runs scored.

In the top of the 3rd inning, Rougned Odor singled to right field. Shin-Soo Choo walked. Both were left on base.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Matt Kemp singled to shortstop and advanced to 2nd on a throwing error by Profar.

Kike singled to right field.

Matt was out at home with catcher Chirinos blocking the plate. Matt did the only thing he could do and charged into Chirinos who was in the way. Chirinos shoved Matt and Matt shoved back.

And here they come. The benches cleared. All fans were on their feet.

Apparently Chirinos had taken offense at Matt hitting him at the plate. Uh…isn’t that Matt standing behind the crowd?

Everyone brushed themselves off.

The bullpen walked back. Wait….where’s Kenley? He said he was lounging on the couch in the bullpen. Hahaha.

Wondering the outcome of the bench clearing incident. There always are some ejections.

Going back….long walk.

The umpires pondered the fate of Matt and Chirinos. Matt later on said it was no big deal. No one was mad. He wanted to make sure there were no hard feelings between the Dodgers and the Rangers. He did not take the first blow…it was Chirinos who had shoved Matt first. Matt was only worried about hurting his ankle as he had done before. The Umps decided that both would be ejected. Joc replaced Matt on the field.

I think the benches clearing shook Kenta up because Adrian doubled. Profar singled with Adrian scoring. 2-1. Joey Gallo singled scoring Profar with the Rangers tying the score. 2-2. Odor was walked, He was left on base.

In the bottom of the 4th inning Cody walked.

Puig ground into a force out with Cody out at 2nd. Puig was caught stealing with Logan batting.

In the top of the 5th inning, Choo doubled but was left on base.

In the bottom of the 5th inning, Chris Taylor doubled.

Justin walked.

But was left on base.

The Rangers were out in order in the top of the 6th inning.

In the bottom of the 6th inning Cody doubled to right field.

But was left on base. Uh oh!! So many left on base!

In the top of the 7th inning, Choo walked but was left on base. Score was still tied.

In the bottom of the 7th inning pinch hitter Max Muncy walked but was left on base. Score was still tied.

It was good to see Oscar who was taking a day off so he could actually watch the game.

In the top of the 8th inning Beltre singled but was left on base.

In the bottom of the 8th inning, Joc, Kike and Cody all struck out.

In the top of the 9th inning, Kenley got off the bullpen couch and walked Choo. Choo was left on base.

In the bottom of the 9th inning, Yasiel walked.

Logan singled to right field with Yasiel going to 3rd. Everyone was left on base to everyone’s chagrin. Yikes extra innings!!

In the top of the 10th inning, Beltre singled. Profar singled but thankfully both were left on base. We were all sitting at the edge of our seats.

In the bottom of the 10th inning, the Dodgers were out in order. I was beginning to think that it would be a very long game. I contemplated leaving since the Dodgers don’t usually do well in extra inning games.

In the top of the 11th inning Odor walked but was left on base. Come on Dodgers!!. We’re all tired and want to go home.

Former Dodger Jesse Chavez was pitching for the Rangers.

Yasiel was intentionally walked. Chavez was replaced by Matt Bush. Bad move on the part of the Rangers.

Logan walked with Kike going to 3rd and Yasiel to 2nd. At this point I was praying that Austin would be the hero of the game. Maybe he would finally smile. Remember I am wearing the good luck jersey.

Austin hit a comebacker to the pitcher who proceeded to throw the ball wildly to the catcher pulling him off base. Kike was able to sidestep the catcher and touched home plate winning the game. 3-2.

Austin thought he could get off the field safely but do you see Cody in the distance? Austin had paused and looked around thinking no one had noticed him.

No chance as happy teammates gave him a good dousing.

And if Kike thought he was getting away, he was part of the walkoff win too. It was a team effort. The Dodgers were jumping up and down with excitement. It was a hard fought game.

It was a great win. I’m sure Kike was happy with hugs all around. The game was exhilarating with the benches clearing incident and the walkoff in extra innings. We were all tired but happy as we finally left Dodger Stadium. Everyone was ready for a day off.

No game on Thursday. Weird week since Monday also was a day off. On Friday our Ross Stripling 5-1 ERA 1.65 whom many consider our ace will face SF Giant Derek Holland 4-6 ERA 4.54. The Dodgers have scrapped their way to 2nd place, only 2 games behind the D Backs.

Thanks for stopping by. It’s been a great week so far!! GO DODGERS!!!!

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