Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Nail Biter Ties Series

The Dodgers beat the Brewers 2-1 in 13 innings Tuesday night to tie the NLCS at two games each and guarantee a game six on Friday. The game featured thirty two strikeouts and just 15 hits as both pitching staffs dominated the game. Only two of the 15 hits went for extra bases, both doubles. Teams did have chances to score as the Brewers went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position, and the Dodgers went 2 for 10.

Brewers starter Gio Gonzalez left in the second inning after twisting an ankle, but it’s not clear he would have gone much beyond the second inning anyway. That put the game in the hands of Milwaukee pitcher Junior Guerra late, who appeared to be pitching until he dropped. His wild pitch in the bottom of the 13th set up Cody Bellinger for the game winning hit:

The slumping Bellinger, who began the night 1 for 21 in these playoffs, was chased all the way into left field by teammates. Even manager Dave Roberts ran out to congratulate his outfielder, who got soaked with a Gatorade shower.

“I think we gave each other a big hug,” Bellinger said. “I think it was the first time I ever got mobbed out in the outfield.”

Bellinger laced a full-count pitch from Junior Guerra into right field to score Machado, who was nearly picked off second base moments earlier. Instead, he slid home and touched the plate with his left hand to beat Christian Yelich‘s throw and finally end an October nail-biter that took 5 hours, 15 minutes.

“One of the crazier games, where there’s really no margin on either side,” Roberts said. “The bullpen, what they did tonight against a very good offensive club, my hat’s off to these guys.”

Yasmani Grandal was on deck, and I saw suggestions that they should have walked Bellinger, but both were slumping.



from baseballmusings.com https://ift.tt/2pZmZ1H

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