MLB
Dodgers Take Down Bumgarner To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
Earlier this week, the Giants announced they would throw Madison Bumgarner Friday night instead of Wednesday to try and disrupt the Dodgers playoff birth. Bumgarner was actually pretty vocal about wanting to pitch Friday night. According to David Vassegh on “Lunchtime With Rodney and Roggin,” via AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio:
“From what I understand, a couple of weeks ago, Madison Bumgarner saw the schedule and walked into Bruce Bochy’s office and told him point blank, ‘I want to pitch against the Dodgers.’ “
However, that didn’t quite work out the way he and the Giants would have liked as the Dodgers took down Bumgarner and the Giants to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Hernandez Owns Bumgarner
Offensively, super utility man Kiké Hernandez continued to own Madison Bumgarner! Hernandez went 3-4 with 2 runs scored. The first time he scored came in the third inning when the Dodgers were down 1-0. Kiké came in on a single by Manny Machado. The next time he scored was when Hernandez was on base for his third hit of the night on a two-run bomb by Justin Turner in the fifth. Hernandez is now lifetime 19-for-39 with a .487 average and 4 home runs against Madison Bumgarner. Kiké definitely has Bumgarner’s number!
Ryu Has Another Solid Start
Hyun-Jin Ryu had another solid start last night. Ryu pitched 6 innings giving up only 4 hits and 1 run with 3 strikeouts. Ryu now is 7-3 with a 1.97 ERA. He has had his best season yet and with those numbers, if it weren’t for the groin injury that put him on the disabled list earlier this year, he would have to be in Cy-Young talks.
Alexander, Baez, Wood, Maeda, and Jansen combined to close out the game without allowing a run.
N.L. Playoff Outlook
Last night, the red-hot Rockies clinched a playoff birth, to join the Braves, Cubs, and Brewers. With the Cardinals losing and Dodgers winning last night the Dodgers are now two games up for the second Wild Card and one game back from clinching the division. If the Cardinals lose today, or if the Dodgers win then the Dodgers will clinch a playoff birth. Now, if the Dodgers win their next two games and the Rockies lose both of theirs, then the Dodgers would clinch the N.L. West. However, if the Dodgers lose and the Cardinals win tonight then the Dodgers would only be 1 game up on the second Wild Card, going into Sunday’s games. If that happened and the Dodgers lose Sunday and the Cardinals win Sunday, then they would both be tied for the second Wild Card and would play a 1 game matchup to see who would get the second Wild Card.
Dodgers, let’s make this less complicated and just get the win today!
Photo Credit to Ian D’Andrea via Flickr
