As I tweeted in the waning moments of Tuesday night's one-run Dodger loss, Matt Kemp has been the difference maker on this team all season long, so it only seemed fitting that his first legitimate defensive flub of the young 2012 season would also be a difference maker. It was a fantastically competitive affair. Both teams had enormous and towering home runs pulled around foul poles by their respective old timers. Both teams manufactured runs. Both teams had fantastic plays on defense. And both teams erred (as far as I'm concerned if the ball hits Matt Kemp's glove and he's running upright... its an error).
The one black eye on "sleeved blanket night" was Javy Guerra's ill-timed fast ball in the zone to Prado that looked eerily similar to the pitch he threw in Milwaukee when he blew his first save. In fact they were hit to almost identical locations, only this time Matt Kemp had a chance at it. And just like that, the air was let out of the Dodger balloon. Andre Ethier's following appearance at the plate to lead off the bottom of the 9th was a perfect example, as he swung at anything he could see, spinning out of control like that whizzing, deflating balloon. After that, the tying run made it all the way to 2nd base before an ice cold Tony Gwynn Jr. was asked to come off the bench and be the hero with 2 outs. Against arguably the best closer in all of baseball no less.
Which brings us to the SILVER LINING... The Dodger's loss came on a night where every other NL West club lost a game as well. The Dodgers still have a 3.5 game lead over San Francisco as they turn to Ted Lilly for the series win.
Word on the street is that Ned Colletti was at tonight's heart break loss. Maybe Ned was paying attention when Don Mattingly needed a big pinch hit, and he was forced to rely on guys like Justin Sellers, Adam Kennedy or Tony Gwynn. It was reported that Colletti has confirmed he will be looking for a bat in the next few months. If tonight's loss was any indication of the Dodger's options, clearly Uribe's 4-hit night was an aberration and the Dodgers needs are a power hitting 3rd baseman and/or outfielder. I've heard whispers of a guy like David Wright and while that would be intriguing, the Dodgers would have to give up a major prospect like Zach Lee. A move that would be very Ned, and very unpopular with yours truly.
The rubber match is slated for 7:10PM. Unfortunately it sounds as if Juan Rivera might be heading to the disabled list. Only hours after he finally got of the his first homerun of the season. TDB's "Lilly Watch" will be in full effect tomorrow... Tweet me your predictions of home runs given up to fly ball outs ratio.
Good night.
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