LOS ANGELES DODGERS CLIPS
SATURDAY, SEPTMEBER 29, 2012
LA TIMES
Dodgers win big, but can't get closer to playoffs
By Dylan Hernandez
The Dodgers have figured out how to score runs, but they might have to learn to how to stop time in order to reach the
playoffs.
They won their third consecutive game with an 8-0 blowout of the last-place Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium, but
their chances of playing in the postseason were significantly reduced by what transpired Friday.
The team the Dodgers are pursuing for the second of two National League wild-card spots, the St. Louis Cardinals,
defeated the Washington Nationals, 12-2. The Dodgers' deficit to the Cardinals remains at three games with five games
left. The magic number for elimination is down to three.
“I'm just realistic,” Clayton Kershaw said. “We're three games back with five to go. We pretty much need to win out.
That's how it goes.”
That part looks possible, and not only because Kershaw, who pitched eight dominant innings, intends to start the
regular-season finale against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.
The offense is looking like it was expected to look when the Dodgers acquired Adrian Gonzalez from the Boston Red Sox
last month. The Dodgers have scored eight runs in three consecutive games, something they hadn't done all season.
“We're swinging the bats well, so it's kind of fun,” Kershaw said.
They had a four-run second inning in which Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 10 games. Andre Ethier had three
hits, including a run-scoring double. Shane Victorino blasted a three-run home run. Bobby Abreu hit the first pinch-hit
home run of his career.
“That's the way it should be,” Gonzalez said. “It shouldn't be one guy. It should be multiple guys. We're all chipping in.”
Gonzalez appears to be out of his slump.
“Just having a little bit of balance and staying on the ball better,” Gonzalez said. “I'm still missing pitches, but I'm feeling
better.”
Kershaw (13-9) was feeling better as well.
He held the Rockies to five hits and struck out 10, in the process lowering his earned-run average to an NL-leading 2.58.
Kershaw was pitching on regular four days' rest. His start in Cincinnati on Sunday came on 11 days' rest, the result of
missing a turn in the rotation because of a hip injury.
“I got some good work in between starts,” Kershaw said. “I threw a good bullpen and got back out there the next day
and threw some fastballs. Just being on a regular routine helps. I felt I was able to command the ball better tonight than
I did in Cincinnati.”
The highlight of Kershaw's night came in the seventh inning, when the reigning Gold Glove winner started a double play
after catching a comebacker by D.J. LeMahieu between his legs with his back turned to home plate.
“I was lucky,” Kershaw said, smiling. “Close your eyes and hope.”
The Dodgers did get some positive news from the out-of-town scoreboard, when the Milwaukee Brewers fell to the
Houston Astros, 7-6.
That all but eliminates the possibility of a three-way tie for the second NL wild-card spot, which would have caused
logistical nightmares.
Andre Ethier still wants to play every day
By Dylan Hernandez
Andre Ethier smiled when asked about how Manager Don Mattingly hinted he might be turned into a platoon player
next season.
"Luckily, there are a lot of righties," Ethier said.
Ethier entered Friday batting .214 against left-handers and .325 against right-handers.
"Sometimes you hit, sometimes you don't," he said.
The previous day, Mattingly sounded mystified when he talked about Ethier's problems hitting left-handed pitching. The
manager went as far to suggest the Dodgers might consider having Ethier split time in right field with a right-handed
hitter who would face left-handed pitchers.
For his part, Ethier said he wants to remain an everyday player.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" he asked.
In the coming years, Ethier will earn several times what the average platoon player makes. He signed a five-year, $85million contract extension this spring.
Asked if he shared Mattingly's bewilderment about his lack of success against left-handers, Ethier replied, "If I did, it
would probably bring my whole game down. I can remember quite often all you guys criticizing me for being too harsh
on myself. I'm going out there, I'm trying to play defense, I'm trying to do the whole thing. Yeah, it frustrates me not to
do it, but I'm not going to show it, I'm not going to let it come into my game."
Ethier hit left-handers early this season. In his 81 plate appearances against them through May 31, he was 23 for 72
(.319) with two home runs and 17 runs batted in. In his 146 plate appearances since then entering Friday, he was 23 for
138 (.159) with two home runs and 11 RBIs.
"I've had to prove people wrong all the time," Ethier said. "I'll accept the challenge and figure out a way to get the job
done."
He did Friday. Facing Colorado Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis, Ethier doubled to left field in his first at-bat and reached
base on an infield hit in his second.
The dream continues
Friday was a big day for third baseman Luis Cruz.
The Dodgers started selling shirts with his name spelled, "Cruuuuuz," across the top of the back. The shirt also has his
No. 47.
But Cruz was emotional for another reason.
His mother, Patricia, was visiting from Mexico. She was expecting to watch her son play in the major leagues for the first
time since 2008, when he was with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cruz's father, a former Mexican league player, is planning to be at Dodger Stadium on Monday.
Asked how he thought his mother would react when she heard fans chant, "Cruuuuuz," the 28-year-old infielder replied,
"It's going to be something very emotional for her — and for me."
Trade completed
Rookie-league infielder Stefan Jarrin was sent to the Philadelphia Phillies as the player to be named in the trade
involving Shane Victorino. Jarrin, 22, is the grandson of Hall of Fame Spanish-language broadcaster Jaime Jarrin. He
batted .209 with three home runs and nine runs batted in in 26 games for the Dodgers' Arizona rookie league team.
In exchange for Victorino, the Phillies also acquired reliever Josh Lindblom and double-A pitcher Ethan Martin.
Dodgers defeat Rockies, 8-0, but can't get closer to playoffs
By Jim Peltz
Aware that the St. Louis Cardinals already were cruising to another win, the Dodgers took the field Friday knowing their
slim playoff chances were ebbing even further.
But the Dodgers did their best to keep their postseason hopes alive with an 8-0 win over the Colorado Rockies, led by
another stellar outing from starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw and home runs by Shane Victorino and Bobby Abreu.
That kept the Dodgers three games behind St. Louis for the second National League wild-card berth, the Dodgers' lone
hope of reaching the playoffs.
But the Dodgers are running out of time; there are only five games left in the regular season. Earlier, the Cardinals
crushed the Washington Nationals, 12-2.
Kershaw (13-9) was superb in his second start since being sidelined for 11 days with pain in his right hip.
The left-hander held Colorado scoreless on five hits while striking out 10 in his eight innings of work at Dodger Stadium,
the third time this season he's struck out at least 10 batters in a game.
Kershaw got plenty of run support, starting in the second inning when the Dodgers jumped on Rockies starter Jeff
Francis (5-7) with four runs.
Adrian Gonzales singled, Hanley Ramirez walked, Andre Ethier doubled home Gonzalez and Victorino hit his three-run
home run.
In the fourth inning the Dodgers loaded the bases with no one out, and when Kershaw grounded into a double play,
Ethier scored again to widen the Dodgers' lead to 5-0.
Ethier scored a third time in the eighth inning on A.J. Ellis' double, and Abreu then slugged a two-run, pinch-hit homer. It
was the veteran Abreu's first career pinch-hit homer.
It was the third consecutive game that the Dodgers — whose pending inability to reach the postseason largely has
reflected their inability to hit consistently — scored eight runs.
DODGERS.COM
Kershaw keeps Dodgers alive in Wild Card race
By Alex Angert
LOS ANGELES -- On Friday night, the Dodgers looked like a playoff team.
Clayton Kershaw dazzled through eight shutout innings and the offense strung together 12 hits to defeat the Rockies, 80, before a crowd of 37,133 at Dodger Stadium.
But with the Cardinals taking care of business earlier in the evening, this new sense of urgency seems to be too little, too
late. With only five games left on the schedule, the Dodgers remain three games back of the final Wild Card spot, with
the Cards' magic number dropping to three.
With the Dodgers in need of considerable help to make the playoffs at this point, the players realize time isn't on their
side.
"I'm just realistic," Kershaw said. "We are three games back with five to go. We pretty much need to win out. That is
basically how it goes. We are playing great baseball right now. It's a cliche and everybody says it, but we've got to come
up with more wins.
"We can't really worry about St. Louis. Obviously, we are watching. If somebody says they are not, they are lying. We
want to know what they are doing and go take care of business when it's our turn."
Kershaw did just that on Friday.
Dealing with a right hip impingement the past couple of weeks, season-ending surgery seemed to be a likely possibility
before the lefty sought a second opinion in New York last week.
But since being cleared to pitch again, Kershaw has looked like his normal, dominant self.
After walking five batters in five innings his last time out, Kershaw struck out 10, walked only two and gave up just five
hits against the Rockies.
Neither Kershaw nor manager Don Mattingly could explain why he is suddenly looking like his reigning NL Cy Young
Award-winning self again.
"It's always the same with how good this guy is," Mattingly said. "It's why everybody worries about him. That's why
there is a fuss every time something goes wrong, because you know how good he is.
"He's just special."
Although Kershaw continues to insist he pitches the same way no matter the score, there is no denying a rare night of
run support didn't hurt.
For the third straight game, the Dodgers scored eight runs, outscoring their opponents 24-6 in that span.
"This is what we are capable of," Mattingly said.
The scoring started in the second, when Adrian Gonzalez led off with a single that was followed by a walk to Hanley
Ramirez and a bloop double over third baseman Chris Nelson by Andre Ethier to score Gonzalez. Shane Victorino
followed with a three-run homer, his second since joining the team, for a 4-0 lead.
The Dodgers' offense wasn't done, but that was all the team needed on Friday.
"Too much Clayton Kershaw tonight," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. "Give credit where credit's due. The guy was
terrific tonight, and actually as good a curveball as I've seen him have in any start that he's taken.
"When their starter is throwing the ball like he was throwing it, plus they get a four-run spot, that's going to be a large
obstacle."
The Dodgers picked up another run in the fourth when Kershaw hit into a double-play with the bases loaded to score
Ethier.
Bobby Abreu's two-run, pinch-hit homer and an RBI double by A.J. Ellis added to the rout in the eighth inning.
The Dodgers play Colorado two more times before hosting the Giants for the final three games of the season. If they can
win out, they will still need a lot of help from the Cardinals, who face the Nationals for two more games, then the Reds
for three to close out the regular season.
"We need to win tomorrow," Mattingly said. "We've got to keep pressure on St. Louis. We've got to force them to win
everyday. That is what we have to do."
Gonzalez heating up entering home stretch
By Alex Angert
LOS ANGELES -- It might be too little, too late with the Dodgers three games out of a playoff spot entering Friday night's
game against the Rockies, but Adrian Gonzalez is finally starting to show the offensive skill-set that made him so coveted
by the Dodgers' front office.
Gonzalez was riding a nine-game hitting streak heading into the Dodgers' final homestand, hitting .378 (14-for-37) with a
double, two homers and five RBIs on the team's recent nine-game road trip.
Prior to hitting the road last week, Gonzalez had gone just 20-for-86 (.233) since making his Dodgers debut on Aug. 25.
Manager Don Mattingly said he's not surprised by the slugger's turnaround over the past nine games, based on his track
record.
"I do like the way he looks right now," Mattingly said. "He seems more front-sided to me, where he's staying in there
and seeing less of the backhand and more of the front hand."
Mattingly not worried about Kershaw's health
By Alex Angert
LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly is going to continue monitoring starter Clayton Kershaw closely, but he
said he feels comfortable with his ace on the mound, despite recent hip pain that forced him to miss a pair of starts this
month.
Kershaw made his first start in 11 days last Sunday against the Reds, after being bothered because of a right hip
impingement. He lasted five innings and walked a season-high five batters, which Mattingly attributed to rust. Kershaw
started again on Friday night against the Rockies.
"If he was compensating, we wouldn't have him out there," Mattingly said.
Mattingly said Kershaw performed his between-start duties at 100 percent. If necessary, Mattingly has Stephen Fife and
John Ely in the bullpen if there is any doubt about Kershaw on the mound.
"He was out running the next day," Mattingly said. "He threw the next day. He threw his bullpen the day after. He's
thrown in between. He's basically done everything that he would always do after a normal start. In his mind, [the pain]
didn't come back."
Pederson named Minor League player of year
By Alex Angert
LOS ANGELES -- Joc Pederson has never been to Israel, so the idea of playing in the World Baseball Classic was pretty farfetched for the young hitter.
But after talking to his roommate in Spring Training, he realized it wasn't such a crazy idea, having grown up in a Jewish
community with a mother who is Jewish.
Fast forward to Friday, fresh off of playing for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic qualifier and coming a game
short of reaching the Classic, Pederson was at Dodger Stadium to be honored as the Branch Rickey Minor League Player
of the Year.
That experience, combined with a stellar season with Class A Rancho Cucamonga, has Pederson riding high. He will be
playing in the Arizona Fall League, suiting up for the Mesa Solar Sox next month.
"I'd love to go to Big League camp to get to know some of the guys and then go to Double-A and give it my best,"
Pederson said.
The experience playing for Team Isreal, which lost to Spain in the qualifier final last Sunday, has helped prepare him for
the challenges ahead.
Surrounded by former players Shawn Green, Brad Ausmus, Gabe Kapler and Mark Loretta, Pederson said the experience
was one he'll never forget.
"We were only together for like 10 days and this group of guys had so much team chemistry," Pederson said. "They gave
me an inside view of what they had to go through and what helped them become a better player and hitter."
Pederson, who was drafted in the 11th round in 2010, batted .313 with 26 steals, 26 doubles, four triples, 18 homers
and 70 RBIs in 110 games with the Quakes. He went 4-for-13 with three steals and three runs in three games with Team
Israel.
Sellers making progress in back rehab
By Alex Angert
LOS ANGELES -- Justin Sellers, who has been on the disabled list since May 25 because of a bulging disk in his lower back,
was in the Dodgers clubhouse for the first time in months before Friday's game against the Rockies.
Sellers said his rehab has been progressing slowly, but he added he has started to feel better over the last three weeks.
He expects to be able to swing the bat and start running in three months and he's going to continue taking physical
therapy three times a week until then to strengthen his core.
"I'm getting there," the infielder said. "I'm starting to do a little more everyday. I'm going to keep grinding it out and get
stronger and stronger so I can be ready for next year."
Worth noting
• Shane Victorino, who is still dealing with a sore left wrist, batted seventh on Friday night, with Mattingly wanting to
play it safe in case the wrist flares up during the game. Mattingly said the switch-hitting left fielder is still having trouble
swinging right-handed. Victorino went 2-for-4, including a three-run homer in the second inning.
On Friday, the Dodgers sent Minor League infielder Stefan Jarrin to the Phillies to complete the July 31 Victorino trade.
Jarrin, the son of broadcaster Jorge Jarrin and grandson of Hall of Fame broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, hit .209 with three
homers and nine RBIs in 26 games for the rookie-level Arizona Dodgers.
• Originally perceived as a throw-in to last month's blockbuster trade with the Red Sox, Mattingly has been impressed
with switch-hitter Nick Punto's energy and ability to play all over the field.
"He's going to be a valuable piece for us moving forward," Mattingly said.
Punto is 5-for-10 with four runs over the past two games before Friday.
Dodgers' Path to the Postseason: Sept. 29, 2012
By Alex Angert
LOS ANGELES -- Aided by eight shutout innings from Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers defeated the Rockies, 8-0, Friday
night for their third straight win.
But there wasn't much celebrating at Dodger Stadium, with the Cardinals routing the Nationals earlier in the evening to
keep Los Angeles three games back for the final National League Wild Card spot.
With only five games remaining, the Dodgers' playoff hopes are slim. They have two more left against the Rockies before
hosting the Giants for the final three games of the regular season.
The Cardinals, who have a clinching magic number of three, face the Nationals and Reds to end the season, and all the
Dodgers can do is try to win out and hope for the best.
"We are playing great baseball right now," Kershaw said. "It's a cliche and everybody says it, but we've got to come up
with more wins. That is what we've got to do."
Saturday's key games to watch (all times PT)
Nationals (Zimmermann, 12-8) at Cardinals (Lohse, 16-3), 4:15 p.m. Preview >
Astros (Keuchel, 3-7) at Brewers (Estrada, 4-7), 4:10 p.m. Preview >
Rockies (Chatwood, 5-5) at Dodgers (Blanton, 9-13), 6:10 p.m. Preview >
If the postseason started today ...
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Wild Card: Second Wild Card at First Wild Card
Division Series: Second-best AL record vs. Third-best AL record | Best AL record at Wild Card winner
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Wild Card: Second Wild Card at First Wild Card
Division Series: Second-best NL record vs. Third-best NL record | Best NL record at Wild Card winner
Postseason 101
Magic numbers
To calculate a team's magic number, take the number of games it has remaining and add one. Then subtract the
difference in the number of losses between that team and its closest pursuer.
Tiebreaker scenarios
A tiebreaker game will be played to determine a division winner, even if the tied clubs are assured of participating in the
postseason. If a division championship tiebreaker is necessary, the head-to-head record between the clubs will
determine home-field advantage. If the head-to-head record is tied, then the division record will be the next tiebreaker.
If two clubs are tied for the two Wild Card berths, home-field advantage will be determined by the head-to-head record
between the clubs. If the head-to-head record is tied, then the division record will be the next tiebreaker.
2012 postseason schedule
Wild Card playoff games: Oct. 5
Division Series: Oct. 6-12
AL Championship Series: Oct. 13-21
NL Championship Series: Oct. 14-22
World Series: Oct. 24-Nov. 1
Kershaw linked with Dickey by more than success
By Meggie Zahneis
At first glance, Clayton Kershaw and R.A. Dickey are polar opposites. Kershaw's a southpaw, Dickey's a righty. Kershaw is
24, Dickey 37. The two don home uniforms on opposite coasts of the United States, Kershaw in Los Angeles and Dickey
in New York.
But under closer examination, it turns out the young ace and the veteran knuckleballer have a few things in common.
For one, they're both up for the National League Cy Young Award.
"It's always great to be in the mix for that," Kershaw acknowledged. "It's always a humbling feeling to be considered for
Cy Young and all that stuff, but there's a lot of great candidates this year. So I'm hoping I can be part of it somehow."
Many think Kershaw will, with a 2.68 ERA (tops in the National League, just ahead of Dickey's 2.69) and 211 strikeouts,
second only to Dickey's 222.
Kershaw has long had great expectations attached to his name. He was the first in a generation of young pitchers who
were surrounded with hype: Aroldis Chapman, Stephen Strasburg, Yu Darvish.
From the time Kershaw was drafted by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2006 Draft, he's lived up to the hype.
In 2008, he became the youngest player in the Major Leagues, a title he'd hold for a full year.
Kershaw also garnered comparisons to Dodgers great Sandy Koufax, a fellow strikeout southpaw.
"You take that with a grain of salt, just because he's been so good for so long," Kershaw said. "I've got a really, really
long way to go before I get anywhere close to [Koufax]."
But those great expectations haven't weighed on Kershaw.
"It's always fun to have expectations as a pitcher. It makes people think you're good, which is always a great thing, but I
just put enough pressure and expectations on myself so I don't have to worry about that," Kershaw admitted. "If you
care about what you're doing, you'll care enough not to make a big deal about it."
Want proof that Kershaw is exemplifying his expectations?
Look no further than the numbers he posted in the 2011 season, a 21-5 record and 2.28 ERA. Those earned him the NL
Pitching Triple Crown (with 248 strikeouts) and Cy Young Award. Now, Kershaw is a rock in the Dodgers' rotation, but he
won't go so far as to call himself the team ace.
"I don't know if we ever think about it as ace, because we've got four other really capable guys [Chris Capuano, Aaron
Harang, Joe Blanton and Josh Beckett] in our rotation. For me it's just, right now, about getting back out there [after
injury] and, for the rest of the season, giving our team a chance," Kershaw said.
Having dealt with a right hip injury since Sept. 11, Kershaw returned Sunday to throw five strong innings in a no-decision
against the Reds. He'll make his 32nd start Friday against the Rockies.
Kershaw said that with his team "right in the middle of [the playoff chase]," sitting out wasn't easy.
"It's not fun, definitely not fun to have to watch, but you just try to be the best teammate you can be and you root your
teammates on," he said.
Another thing Kershaw and Dickey have in common is authorship. Dickey's "Wherever I Wind Up" and Kershaw's "Arise,"
written with his wife, Ellen, were both released earlier this year.
"Yeah, how about that," Kershaw chuckled. "Never thought I would ever write a book. But the opportunity presented
itself, and it was a fun opportunity and experience to get to do it."
The Kershaws' book focuses on the charity work the couple does in Zambia.
"Africa is something that Ellen and I were pretty impassioned about," Kershaw said. "The kids over in Zambia [really
inspire us]. Actually, the orphanage [we built in Zambia] just got finished a couple of weeks ago. The electricity just got
[put] in. It's exciting. We're going to go back over this offseason and see the kids moving in.
"It's awesome to be in the position we're in, playing baseball. We get to get the word out about things we're
impassioned about off the field. And people care about it because we play baseball. It's a cool thing and it's exciting to
have that platform."
So maybe Kershaw and Dickey do have some things in common after all.
LA sends Jarrin to Phils to complete Victorino deal
By Ken Gurnick
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers sent Minor League infielder Stefan Jarrin to the Phillies as the player to be named to
complete the July 31 acquisition of veteran outfielder Shane Victorino, the club announced Friday.
Jarrin, the son of broadcaster Jorge Jarrin and grandson of Hall of Fame broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, hit .209 with three
homers and nine RBIs in 26 games for the rookie-level Arizona Dodgers.
Major League reliever Josh Lindblom and Minor League pitcher Ethan Martin were previously sent to the Phillies in the
deal.
Kershaw's success product of planning, execution
By Meggie Zahneis
What goes through Clayton Kershaw's mind when he's on the mound?
"Just trying to execute," Kershaw said. "I think that's the only thing. For me, you look at the target and throw as hard as
you can and expect the results to be there. It sounds easier than it is, but if you throw a hundred and something pitches
in a game, there's a lot of time ... that's a lot of time you have to focus. You know it's not easy and sometimes you're not
going to be all the way there, but that's the goal."
Kershaw also discussed the unique mechanics of his windup.
"I think there is some deception involved," Kershaw said of the advantage his windup gives him. "I think some of the
hitters that have told me before that it's not always easy to pick up the baseball. That's kind of the goal, to be deceptive
out there."
Kershaw isn't just wily in his windup; he can also befuddle hitters with the impressive repertoire of pitches he's picked
up along the way.
"Growing up, you learn how to throw the fastball," he said. "And from there, I learned how to throw a curveball. And the
changeup I'm still working on and really haven't figured that out all the way yet. I haven't figured out anything all the
way. And the slider was the last pitch I learned. I learned that two or three years ago, and it's been a big pitch for me."
If Kershaw had to choose one pitch that's the hardest to master, he'd go with the changeup.
"I think the changeup is the hardest, just because it's a feel pitch," he said. "You can't just throw as hard as you can.
There's definitely a element of feel to it that is not always easy for me to figure out."
And Kershaw is especially fond of his "out pitch."
"I throw the fastball the most. So I think most pitchers would say the fastball is the most important pitch," Kershaw
divulged. "If you can command that, you're going to be OK."
OK, Kershaw has been.
ESPN.COM
3 up, 3 down: Dodgers 8, Rockies 0
By Mark Saxon
LOS ANGELES -- The idea at this time of year is to play meaningful games until they run out on you. With five games left,
the Dodgers still have something to play for.
They beat the Colorado Rockies 8-0 Friday night at Dodger Stadium to stay within three games of the St. Louis Cardinals
for the last wild-card spot. Time, obviously, is running out, but the Dodgers are, at least, playing some of their best
baseball in more than a month. They have scored 24 runs in their last three games and won all three.
The Good:
Tough effort. If the Dodgers somehow can make it to Wednesday with their postseason hopes alive, they will have the
right guy on the mound in the decisive game. A week ago, the question was whether Clayton Kershaw's troublesome hip
would allow him to pitch the rest of the season and whether it would affect 2013. After two strong starts -- and with
Kershaw professing no pain coming into Friday -- it looks as if the Dodgers have their ace back. This time, manager Don
Mattingly gave him a little more rope and Kershaw cruised through eight innings. His 10 strikeouts leave him one shy of
R.A. Dickey (with 222) for the National League lead.
Late life. With Carl Crawford likely to return next April or May, it appears as if Shane Victorino's career as a Dodger will
be both short-lived and forgettable. Victorino has spent most of his two months with the team in a pretty deep slump.
Going into Friday, he was batting .227 with just 23 runs and one home run in his 48 games with the Dodgers. But like a
lot of the Dodgers hitters, he looks like he's starting to emerge from his rut. Victorino ripped a three-run home run to
center field and lined a single to center. It's the same story with all these guys: Where was that when the team still had a
realistic shot of contending?
Platoon this. There has been a fair amount of scrutiny lately on whether the Dodgers will consider platooning Andre
Ethier with another right fielder next season, given his struggles against left-handed pitching. It seems like an absurd
thing to focus on considering Ethier is having a strong season (.285, 19 home runs, 87 RBIs) and has batted a respectable
.236 against lefties in his career. He quieted some of that talk with two hits off lefty Jeff Francis, including an RBI bloop
double. Barring the occasional bad matchup or major slump, Ethier is the kind of guy you just leave out there.
The Bad:
Still slumping. Hanley Ramirez sent a ball soaring to right-center field with two men on in the fifth inning. Matt McBride
caught it while slamming into the wall. That might have been Ramirez's hardest-hit ball in a week and it's a good sign
that he's driving it to the opposite field. But the Dodgers' No. 5 hitter is still mired in a deep slump, batting .155 in his
last 13 games. The Dodgers are starting to catch fire and, who knows, maybe Ramirez isn't far behind.
Vision quest. The Dodgers scored a run on Kershaw's fourth-inning double play groundout, so it wasn't the biggest deal
in a world, but first-base umpire Brian Gorman made a brutal call on the play. In real time, Kershaw clearly beat it out
and the replay confirmed that he had it by a half-step. Players have to be at their best in pennant races or they risk being
exposed and the same can be said of umpires.
Streak-prone. Matt Kemp has been all over the map lately. He followed an 0-for-12 stretch by getting six hits in his last
10 at-bats entering Friday, then he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. One thing Kemp clearly has done this month is expand
his strike zone. Kemp tends to be an aggressive hitter, but when he's going good, he shows better discipline. Going into
Friday, Kemp had walked just three times in 93 plate appearances this month. He did walk in the fifth inning, so maybe
that's a good sign.
Now Kershaw can only wait
By Mark Saxon
LOS ANGELES -- In a way, it couldn't have worked out better.
In a way, it couldn't have worked out worse.
Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers' best pitcher and arguably the best pitcher in the National League, is lined up
to pitch Wednesday's season finale against the San Francisco Giants, a team that figures to be gazing ahead at the
upcoming playoffs. He's no longer feeling any pain in the hip that caused him to miss a couple of starts. He's raring to go
in a game that matters.
Just one problem: It probably won't.
Time isn't on the Dodgers' side, even if Kershaw is. The Dodgers have to somehow find a way to make up two games in
the standings and then they can hand the ball to Kershaw, who looked as healthy as ever pitching eight shutout innings
and striking out 10 Colorado Rockies in an 8-0 win Friday night. The worst part about it is, between now and Wednesday,
there's nothing Kershaw can do about it.
"It's part of being a starter. It's definitely the hardest thing about it," Kershaw said.
The Dodgers' chances, according to ESPN's Hunt for October, are 3.1 percent. Of the contenders, only the Milwaukee
Brewers (0.1 percent) are in a more tenuous position. The Dodgers' offense appears to have awakened just after the
nick of time, scoring eight runs in three straight games after going a month scoring that many just once.
And so, now, all they can do is hold their breath and try to get through these next four, hoping desperately that
Kershaw's final start means something. Of course, the Dodgers can't afford to think about Wednesday. They have
Saturday first, then Sunday and, if they're still alive, Monday. If they have even a momentary slip, the only debate will be
whether Kershaw should even bother to make that final start.
"We've got to keep pressure on St. Louis. We've got to force them to win every day," manager Don Mattingly said.
"That's what we have to do."
Clayton Kershaw key as Dodgers shut down Rockies
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw's hip felt just fine, and his pitching was solid, too, keeping the Los Angeles Dodgers'
postseason hopes alive.
The left-hander struck out 10 over eight innings and Shane Victorino hit a three-run homer in the Dodgers' 8-0 win over
the Colorado Rockies on Friday night. Los Angeles remained three games behind St. Louis for the second National League
wild card with five games to play.
The Dodgers' third victory in a row clinched a winning season for the second straight year under manager Don Mattingly.
More Rockies-Dodgers Coverage
"We got to keep pressure on St. Louis," he said. "We got to force them to win every day."
Kershaw (13-9) allowed five hits and walked two, lowering his NL-leading ERA to 2.58. His 221 strikeouts are one behind
New York Mets ace R.A. Dickey's 222 for the league lead.
"I'm just realistic," said Kershaw, who expects to start the Dodgers' regular-season finale Wednesday against the NL
West-leading Giants. "We pretty much need to win out. We're playing great baseball now. We can't really worry about
St. Louis. Obviously we're watching."
Kershaw, last season's NL Cy Young winner, pitched on his regular five days' rest after going 12 days between starts
leading up to his previous start, against Cincinnati on Sept. 23, because his hip was sore.
He said his hip felt good, adding, "I can't explain it. Just being back on a regular routine helps."
Kershaw helped himself in the seventh, starting a double play when he turned around, fielded Andrew Brown's
comebacker between his legs with his back to the plate and fired to second for the first out.
"I was lucky," he said. "Close your eyes and hope it ended up in the glove."
The Dodgers provided Kershaw with early run support, taking a 4-0 lead in the second off Jeff Francis (5-7). Andre
Ethier's RBI double scored the first run, and Victorino followed with his 11th homer.
Los Angeles made it 5-0 in the fourth when Ethier singled and scored on a double-play grounder by Kershaw.
Bobby Abreu had his first career pinch-hit homer, a two-run shot off Will Harris with two outs in the eighth, extending
the Dodgers' lead to 8-0.
"He was pretty much lights out," Francis said about Kershaw. "You could tell because guys weren't putting good swings
against him even when the ball was in the strike zone. He was pretty spectacular."
Making his team-leading 23rd start, Francis gave up six hits and five runs in four innings, struck out three, and walked
one to fall to 0-3 in his past six starts. The left-hander hasn't won since Aug. 27 against the Dodgers. The last-place
Rockies' four-game winning streak ended as they opened a season-ending six-game road trip.
Game notes
Colorado 1B Jordan Pacheco went 0-for-4, ending his hitting streak at 10 games. ... Kershaw struck out at least 10 for the
third time this season and 18th in his career. ... Los Angeles earned its first shutout win since Aug. 19, a 5-0 victory at
Atlanta. ... The Dodgers sent INF Stefan Jarrin, the son of Dodgers Spanish-language broadcaster Jorge and grandson of
Hall of Fame broadcaster Jaime, to Philadelphia as the player to be named later in the July 31 Victorino trade. The 22year-old Jarrin batted .209 with three homers and nine RBIs in 26 games for the rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers. ...
Tony Orlando serenaded Tom Lasorda with "Happy Birthday" between innings. Lasorda, who turned 85 last weekend,
received a standing ovation from the crowd and both teams.
Dodgers complete Victorino deal
By Mark Saxon
The Los Angeles Dodgers said Friday they have sent infielder Stefan Jarrin to the Philadelphia Phillies as the player to be
named later in the Shane Victorino trade.
Jarrin is the son of Dodgers Spanish-language broadcaster Jorge Jarrin and the grandson of Hall of Fame broadcaster
Jaime Jarrin. Stefan Jarrin, 22, batted .209 with three home runs and nine RBIs in 26 games for the rookie league Arizona
League Dodgers.
The Dodgers acquired Victorino on July 31.
DAILY NEWS
BASEBALL: Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw looks like his dominant self
By J.P. Hoornstra
LOS ANGELES - Clayton Kershaw insisted all week his right hip wasn't bothering him. Even after he gutted out five innings
in Cincinnati six days ago, and did his normal between-starts exercises, his competitive nature and recent medical
history were hard to ignore.
So too were the observations of former Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser, now an ESPN analyst, who theorized Kershaw
was "compensating" for the injury at the end of his windup during the Cincinnati game.
Kershaw erased any lingering doubts with a masterful performance Friday. The left-hander threw eight shutout innings
against the Colorado Rockies and the Dodgers won 8-0 in front of an announced crowd of 37,133 at Dodger Stadium.
The question is: Will it matter?
The right-field scoreboard showed the St. Louis Cardinals leading the Washington Nationals 9-1 when the Dodgers took
the field. St. Louis ultimately won 12-2 and pushed the Dodgers closer to elimination in the race for the National
League's second wild-card berth; the Dodgers are three games behind the Cardinals with five games left in the regular
season.
Kershaw (13-9) allowed five hits, walked two and struck out 10 in eight innings, only the third time this season he's
struck out 10 batters and the first time he has done so while not allowing a run.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said before the game Kershaw would be monitored closely for any signs of trouble, and
that right-hander Stephen Fife was on call in the bullpen at the first sign of trouble.
"If he was `compensating' we wouldn't have (Kershaw) out there," Mattingly said.
It became a moot point. Kershaw threw a 94-mph fastball on his first pitch of the game and a 95-mph fastball on his last
- completing his 219th inning pitched this season.
Josh Wall pitched a scoreless ninth inning to complete the shutout.
Andre Ethier went 3 for 4, and Shane Victorino, A.J. Ellis and Mark Ellis each had two of the Dodgers' 12 hits.
The Dodgers jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning quickly and decisively. Adrian Gonzalez led off the inning with
a single and the next batter, Hanley Ramirez, drew a walk.
Ethier was up next, having been demoted to sixth in the batting order against Rockies starter Jeff Francis (5-7) despite
good career numbers - .308 with a double in 26 at-bats prior to Friday - against the Rockies' left-hander.
Ethier dumped a double over the head of Colorado third baseman Chris Nelson into shallow left field, and it rolled long
enough for Gonzalez to round third base and score. Ramirez went to third base and Ethier had his first hit against a lefty
in nine days.
Victorino crushed a belt-high Francis fastball over the middle of the plate over the left-center field fence. It was
Victorino's 11th home run of the season and just his second in 48 games as a Dodger.
Victorino has started three of the past seven games because of a sore hand. Before the game, Mattingly expressed
reservations about Victorino's health and purposely demoted him to seventh in the order because "it's a little safe with
him in the back."
The Dodgers tacked on another run in the fourth inning on a disputed double-play groundout by Kershaw. Ethier and
Victorino led off the inning with consecutive singles and A.J. Ellis was hit by a pitch in his left shoulder to load the bases
for Kershaw.
The pitcher hit a groundball to Colorado second baseman D.J. LeMahieu, who started a 4-6-3 double play on which
Ethier scored from third base. Replays showed Kershaw was safe at first base in spite of umpire Todd Tichenor's ruling to
the contrary.
DODGERS NOTEBOOK: Prospect Joc Pederson relishes World Baseball Classic experience with Team Israel
By J.P. Hoornstra
LOS ANGELES - Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson was playing meaningful games last week, perhaps more meaningful than
any the big-league club will play anytime soon.
They were the first - and so far, last - World Baseball Classic games for Team Israel. Pederson, at Dodger Stadium on
Friday to receive his Branch Rickey Award as the organizational hitter of the year, couldn't say enough about the three
games in Jupiter, Fla.
"It was a great experience, something I'll never forget," he said. "We were only together for I think it was maybe 10
days, and I've never seen a group of guys have so much team chemistry. It was an unforgettable experience."
Israel won its first two games but was eliminated from WBC contention Sunday with a 10-inning, 9-7 loss to Spain.
For fans and players, none of whom are current major leaguers, the results were secondary to the experience.
Israel doesn't have much baseball in its history and never has had a national baseball team. To field a team required a
little creativity and few actual Israelis - three, only one of whom (pitcher Shlomo Lipetz) saw any game action.
Pederson's mother, Shelley, is Jewish. His father, Stu, appeared in eight games with the Dodgers in 1985.
"Spring training is when they were going over all that. My roommate was shortstop Jake Lemmerman," Pederson
recalled. "He was talking about it. I said, `My mom's Jewish, I grew up in a pretty Jewish community.'
"I had enough information and Jewish background, or heritage, that I could play."
Most of Team Israel's players and coaches had similar stories.
Former Dodgers catcher Brad Ausmus managed the team. Former Dodgers outfielder Shawn Green was the designated
hitter. Former Dodgers infielder Mark Loretta was the team's hitting coach. Former major leaguer Gabe Kapler was on
the roster but did not play in any of the three games.
Pederson sounded content to soak it all in, but he did more than that.
In three games - two against Spain, another against South Africa - the 20-year-old batted second and hit .308 (4 for 13).
The 11th-round draft pick by the Dodgers in 2010 batted .313 in 110 games for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga this season.
Also ...
Tommy Lasorda's 85th birthday was recognized with pregame video tributes from Glenn Hoffman, Jerry Royster, Ron
Washington, Mike Scioscia, Dusty Baker, Kirk Gibson, Tony LaRussa and Bobby Valentine, among others. Lasorda later
was seen on the Dodger Stadium video board wiping his eyes. Tony Orlando also led Dodger Stadium in singing "Happy
Birthday." ... Former Dodgers outfielder and current community relations assistant/minor-league instructor "Sweet" Lou
Johnson was recognized on his 78th birthday with a highlight montage set to the song "Sweet Talkin' Guy" by The
Chiffons. ... Adrian Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single in the second inning. ... The Dodgers'
final regular-season game Wednesday against San Francisco will begin at 4:15 p.m.
TRUE BLUE LA
Saturday NL wild card standings: And then there were 3
By Eric Stephen
he race for the second National League wild card spot has three teams still alive, with the Brewers mathematically so by
the slimmest of margins. The Dodgers still have their work cut out for them.
The race for the second wild card spot became a little clearer on Friday, as the race is essentially between two teams:
the Cardinals and the Dodgers. Unfortunately for the Dodgers though, even though they are hot and have won three
straight games, St. Louis just keeps winning, too.
The Dodgers now need 8 of 10 outcomes to go their way just to force a tie with St. Louis. Both the Diamondbacks and
Phillies were eliminated on Friday, and the Brewers' elimination number is now just one. Here are the standings:
National League Second Wild Card Spot
Team
W-L
Pct
GB
St. Louis
85-72 .547
--Los Angeles
82-75 .522
3
Milwaukee
80-77 .510
5
Dodgers Magic Number: 9
Dodgers Tragic Number: 3
Here is a recap of the relevant Friday's game action:
Dodgers 8, Rockies 0: Clayton Kershaw was on his game, and the offense scored exactly eight runs for the third straight
game.
Cardinals 12, Nationals 2: Thanks, Edwin Jackson.
Astros 7, Brewers 6: Five home runs were hit during the game. Four were by Houston, pushing Milwaukee to the brink.
Diamondbacks 8, Cubs 3: Even though Arizona won, the win by the Cardinals officially eliminated the D-Backs. But
Chicago moved to an amazing 0-17 in National League West parks this season.
Marlins 2, Phillies 1: Carlos Lee hit a walk-off single to beat old friend Josh Lindblom as Philadelphia was officially
eliminated.
Here is Saturday's schedule:
 4:10 p.m. - Houston (Dallas Keuchel) at Milwaukee (Marco Estrada)
 4:15 p.m. - Washington (Jordan Zimmermann) at St. Louis (Kyle Lohse)
 6:10 p.m. - Colorado (Tyler Chatwood) at Los Angeles (Joe Blanton)
Clayton Kershaw dominates as Dodgers win opener, 8-0
By Eric Stephen
Rust? What rust? Clayton Kershaw was magnificent on Friday night, leading the Dodgers to a 8-0 win over the Rockies in
the opening game of a three-game weekend series at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers kept pace with the Cardinals, remaining three games back of St. Louis with five games left in the season.
The Dodgers' magic number is nine, meaning the earliest they could clinch the second wild card is Wednesday. Their
elimination number is three, meaning the earliest they could be eliminated is Sunday.
Just five days after walking a season-high five batters in Cincinnati, in his first start in 12 days due to a right hip
impingement, Kershaw showed no signs of wear and tear on Friday, as he struck out 10 in eight scoreless innings.
Kershaw's ERA is currently 2.581, which leads the National Leauge. It is still lower than what second place man R.A.
Dickey's ERA would be if Dickey pitches a nine-inning shutout in his final start of the season.
Kershaw has 221 strikeouts on the season, one behind Dickey for the NL lead.
And he was backed by a suddenly effective Dodgers offense, which has scored eight or more runs in three consecutive
games for the first time since July 8-14, 2007.
Shane Victorino, who didn't start in four of the last six games with a wrist injury and who has been having trouble
swinging from the right side, was back in the lineup on Friday against southpaw Jeff Francis. Victorino promptly hit a
three-run home run in the second inning to give the Dodgers a 5-0 lead. Victorino also singled against Francis in his first
at-bats against a left-hander since Sept. 20, and is hitting .310/.379/.506 against southpaws this season.
Andre Ethier, hitting .214/.269/.319 against left-handers coming into tonight and just .159/.205/.232 (22 for 138) since
June 1, had two hits against Francis, including a double. Ethier had three hits in total on the night, and scored three runs.
A.J. Ellis had two more hits, including an RBI double in the eighth inning. Ellis has driven in a run in his last four games,
and is hitting .400 (6-for-15) during that span, with three doubles.
Bobby Abreu even got into act, hitting a pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning, a two-run shot into right field, the 21st
home run hit into the loge level in Dodger Stadium history. It was the first pinch-hit home run of Abreu's career.
Dodgers send Jaime Jarrin's grandson Stefan to Phillies to complete Shane Victorino trade
By Eric Stephen
The Dodgers on Friday sent infielder Stefan Jarrin to the Philadelphia Phillies as the player to be named later to complete
their July 31 trade for Shane Victorino.
Jarrin, the son of Dodgers Spanish language television broadcaster Jorge Jarrin and the grandson of Dodgers Hall of
Fame radio broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, The 22-year old, drafted by the Dodgers in the 40th round in 2011, hit
.209/.305/.363 in 26 games with the rookie league Arizona Dodgers this season.
Jaime Jarrin tweeted (loosely translated), "About the trade of Stefan my feelings do not count, if he is happy I will be
happy. May God guide you."
TV deal could allow extra flexibility for Dodgers
By Cee Angi
Bankruptcy is rarely good, but it continues to benefit the Dodgers.
Frank McCourt's derailment of the Dodgers left the team in dire financial straits, but the new ownership has worked
quickly to turn the team into a contender and big spender. Ironically, the man who once destroyed the team's financial
stability could have accidentally created a great financial advantage, thanks to a revenue sharing cap.
The details of the Dodgers bankruptcy settlement has been a well-guarded secret since last year, but the revenuesharing cap that LA Times Reporter Bill Shaikin reported alluded to in May, became more concrete yesterday in an article
from Bloomberg.
The article is dense material and some of the specifics still aren't clear, but John Helyar and two other authors report
that "[the settlement]... gives the Dodgers' new owners a chance to cap income subject to revenue-sharing from a
proposed regional sports network at about $84 million a year, according to five people familiar with the confidential
‘special terms.'"
MLB contradicts some of the details, but if true, the agreement is shocking in that it ignores the mechanism that MLB
uses to eliminate the disparity between big and small market teams, revenue sharing. While the rules are complex and
include many loopholes, big-market teams are required to share 34 percent of their annual regional network rights with
small-market teams to curb the unfair advantage of inequitable revenue.
Prior to the bankruptcy, the Dodgers were already in negotiations to create a network (think along the lines of the
Yankees' YES Network) to air baseball games and other programming. To incentivize the sale of the Dodgers, and to
garner a big purchase price, MLB agreed to cap the revenue sharing as part of the bankruptcy settlement. Since these
"special terms" create a windfall where rights fees are concerned--the settlement lets the Dodgers off the hook for
sharing any network revenue in excess of $84 million dollars, an advantage no other team in the league has-it makes the
seemingly extravagant purchase price of $2.15 billion dollars by the new owners make a little more sense.
The Bloomberg article estimates that the Dodgers network could be worth more than $225 million in yearly revenue
that would normally be shared, but if the cap is in effect, the Dodgers would retain $141 million. While that money
technically would belong to the network, as part-owners, the Dodgers could funnel some of that money into team
spending. Many teams use this loophole for more revenue, so it's not a distinct advantage, but given the $84 million cap,
the Dodgers will be drawing from an unusually large pile. They could have the surplus to build an empire.
Other teams won't be happy about this arrangement, and rightfully so. If the bankruptcy settlement gives the Dodgers a
financial advantage, you can expect a huge outcry from other teams, as it's in direct opposition to the very intentions of
revenue-sharing. There's a chance once the Dodgers network deal is more concrete the terms could change, but that
decision would fall to an arbitrator who's been involved in the bankruptcy settlement, not MLB exclusively.
While the benefits of more money don't require much explaining, it would certainly give the Dodgers an opportunity to
be more aggressive, just as we've seen this season. The Dodgers are on the hook for over $400 million in future
contracts, so it's not likely they'll continue on such a sharp spending trajectory, but the extra money could restore the
Dodger's place where big free agent acquisitions are concerned-the unshared revenue could be the difference-maker in
taking a chance on big contracts.
None of this is to say that all of that revenue would be put back into the Dodgers organization instead of the network,
nor would it be spent exhaustively on players. But the beauty of the extra revenue is the flexibility to spend when
needed-just as they did this season. Sure, there are small-market teams doing fine shopping wisely, building platoons,
and exploiting inefficiencies, but cash is still king-and because of the "special terms", the Dodgers could have a lot of it.
FOX SPORTS WEST
Kershaw deals as Dodgers keep pace
By Jon Rosen
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers shut out the Colorado Rockies 8-0 on Friday night at Dodger Stadium with the type of
performance that had been heavily advertised if not consistently executed during the club's lukewarm second half.
Clayton Kershaw (13-9) made his first home start since his hip inflammation injury. He sat out 12 days before pitching in
a 5-3 win in Cincinnati on Sunday, so when he returned to LA, he had his usual four days between starts. Back on his
regular routine, Kershaw turned in one of his finest performances of the season on Friday: an eight-inning gem in which
he allowed five hits, walked two, and struck out 10 batters for the 18th time in his career. Of his 113 pitches, 80 were
thrown for strikes.
"I got some good work in in between starts," Kershaw said. "Threw a good bullpen, and then got back up there the next
day and threw some fastballs. Just being on a regular routine helps, and I felt like I was able to control the ball a lot
better tonight than in Cincinnati. It definitely helps."
Though the gutsiness of both starts was similar, the rest of the comparison was like night and day. Eight of his first 15
outs were recorded by strikeout on Friday, while only one Rockies hit went for extra bases – a sharply hit liner by surging
rookie Willin Rosario down the left field line.
"It's always the same, how good this guy is. It's why everybody worries about him. It's why there's such a fuss every time
something goes on – because you know how good he is," manager Don Mattingly said of his ace lefty. "So I think that's
why it kind of tells you what kind of pitcher this guy is – is that when anything's going on, you're like ‘hey, we've got to
make sure we take care of this guy.' He's just special."
Regardless of where the Dodgers are come game 162 – they still trail the St. Louis Cardinals by three games for the
second wild card with five games to play – Kershaw still expects to take the ball for the regular season finale against San
Francisco on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.
"Yeah, that's my plan. Hopefully it matters," he said after winning his 13th game of the season and his first win since
since Aug. 25.
For Mattingly, there are elevated priorities than what exists five days in the future.
"At this point, it's not even a thought. Honestly, we need to win tomorrow. We've got to keep pressure on St. Louis.
We've got to force them to win every day. That's what we have to do."
If only the remaining games could be as uncomplicated as Friday's rout.
An inconsistent LA offense banged out 12 hits – two of which were by Andre Ethier against left-handed starter Jeff
Francis (5-7), and five of which went for extra bases – while A.J. Ellis and Bobby Abreu provided two-out RBIs. Abreu's
eighth-inning home run was the first in his career as a pinch hitter and the 21st home run to ever land in the Loge
section at Dodger Stadium.
Shane Victorino also homered as part of a two-hit, three-RBI night, and when it was all over, the team had done
something it had failed to in the last four homestands: win the opening game.
The Dodgers haven't had a winning homestand since May 18-20 and have been swept at home (twice) more often than
they've won post-All-Star Break series at home (once).
They've now won three in a row and four out of five against lower-tier National League clubs that they had previously
struggled to beat consistently in the second half. For the third consecutive game, the Dodgers scored eight runs.
"This is what we're capable of," Mattingly said.
It will still be an incredibly tall order for the Dodgers to surge back within striking distance of the Cardinals, who have
two games remaining in their series at home against Washington before Cincinnati visits Busch Stadium for three games
to close out the regular season. St. Louis' magic number is three.
"If you're going to win a pennant or a championship, usually you're going into the last week, and you're playing
meaningful games. Very seldom do you just run away," Mattingly said. "Honestly, it's hard to clinch. It's hard to win
games in the end for teams. I know the numbers and all the statistics . . . but I do know the human nature side of it is
that it's hard to win games down the stretch, and it's hard to close out when every game you have to win – especially if
the team behind you forces you to win your way in. And that's really what we have to do."
It was a sentiment shared by his ace.
"I'm just realistic," Kershaw said. "We're three games back with five to go. We pretty much need to win out. That's
basically how it goes. We're playing great baseball right now, and it's cliché – everybody says it – but we've just got to
come tomorrow and win. That's what we've got to do. We can't really worry about St. Louis.
"Obviously we're watching. If somebody says that we're not, they're lying. We want to know what they're doing and go
take care of business when it's our turn."
OC REGISTER
Kershaw dominates in 8-0 Dodgers victory
By Jeff Fletcher
If part of a manager’s job is to spin things in just the right way to making a daunting task seem possible, you have to give
Don Mattingly credit for trying.
Before the Dodgers kept their faint playoff hopes alive with an 8-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night at
Dodger Stadium, Mattingly made it sound like it’s the St. Louis Cardinals who ought to be feeling the heat.
“I know the numbers and all the statistics,” Mattingly said, “but I also know the human nature side of it, and it’s hard to
win games down the stretch and close it out, especially when the team behind you forces you to win your way in. That’s
what we have to do.”
If the Cardinals, who are sitting in the second wild card spot, are feeling the Dodgers breathing down their necks, it
certainly didn’t affect them as they pounded the Washington Nationals, 12-2. The score was posted early enough for the
Dodgers to know they had to beat the Rockies just to remain three games back, with five to play.
Clayton Kershaw did much of the heavy lifting to get the Dodgers a victory. Showing no ill affects of the hip injury that
caused him to miss a start earlier this month, Kershaw dominated a Colorado lineup without injured Troy Tulowitzki or
Carlos Gonzalez. Kershaw allowed five hits and struck out 10 in eight innings, and he even had a defensive gem. In the
seventh inning, he reached back to snag a ground ball that had gone through his legs. Kershaw then started a double
play.
Kershaw pitched most of the night with a comfortable lead after the Dodgers scored four times in the second. Andre
Ethier dumped a bloop into left and scrambled into second with an RBI double. Shane Victorino then blasted a three-run
homer.
The Dodgers have two more this weekend against the Rockies, followed by three against the San Francisco Giants, while
the Cardinals will host the Cincinnati Reds after they are done with the Nationals.
LAIST
Dodgers Hang Another Eight Runs
By Jimmy Bramlett
It was a laugher at Dodger Stadium and not only because the Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies 8-0.
The team was celebrating Tommy Lasorda's 85th birthday which was on Sept. 22 serenading him with Frank Sinatra
music throughout the game. Tony Orlando sans Dawn led the 37,133 in attendance in singing "Happy Birthday" to the
former skipper. Video tributes from former players brought Lasorda to tears, but the highlight was Don Rickles with his
usual brand of caustic humor.
The celebration brought some levity to the proceedings where the Dodgers knew they had to win to keep up with the St.
Louis Cardinals who demolished the Washington Nationals 12-2. It didn't hurt that the Dodgers had Clayton Kershaw
starting for them.
Putting aside any lingering doubts about his hip, Kershaw used his entire arsenal to fan 10 Rockies in eight innings of
shutout ball.
"I can't explain it," Kershaw said about his magically healed hip. Helping his cause was being able to pitch on regular rest
rather than the 11 days he had in his previous start in Cincinnati where he walked a season-high five batters in five
innings.
"I got some good work in between starts, threw a good bullpen and got back up there the next day and threw some
fastballs. Just being on a regular routine helps. It felt like I was able to command the ball better a lot better tonight than
in Cincinnati. It definitely helps."
Another aid to the cause was the eight runs the Dodgers put up. "Getting runs is awesome," Kershaw mused.
And that was probably what made the night the laughingest of all. Continuing what they started in their last two games
in San Diego, the Dodgers put up an eight-spot for their third consecutive game. It was the second time this season the
Dodgers put up at least 24 runs in a three-game stretch.
"It's coming from our guys," manager Don Mattingly said simply. "It's what we're capable of."
The offense started in the second inning when Adrian Gonzalez led off with a single and Hanley Ramirez walked. Then
came Andre Ethier with all the buzzards circling around his head with reports that Mattingly could sit him against lefthanded pitching.
Against the left-handed starter Jeff Francis, Ethier hit a run-scoring double that put the Dodgers on the board and
squashed some of the chatter. "Andre can hit," Mattingly told reporters before the game. "He's had a good year."
The big surprise came when Shane Victorino and sore wrist launched a 404-foot three-run homer to give the Dodgers
the 4-0 lead.
The Dodgers added a run in the fourth inning when Ethier scored on Kershaw's bases-loaded double play, and in the
eighth inning A.J. Ellis hit a one-run double and Bobby Abreu hit a pinch-hit two-run homer, the first pinch-hit homer in
his career, to cement the game.
The Dodgers still trail the Cardinals by three games for the final wild card spot with their elimination number cut down
to three. But there is a singular focus with this team.
"We need to win tomorrow," Mattingly said. "We've got to keep pressure on St. Louis. We've got to force them to win
every day."
At least Mattingly has one more Kershaw start in his hip pocket. "I do plan on pitching Wednesday no matter what,"
Kershaw said. "Hopefully it matters."
Too bad it won't. And too bad this newly found offense didn't show up three weeks ago when it could have been useful.
But with the Cardinals seemingly on a roll, the Dodgers need to hope they have an epic slide. It's doubtful that will
happen. I guess I haven't learned to respect the Dodger bats yet.
ESPN DEPORTES
La veteranía de Mark Ellis
Rodrigo Azurmendi
LOS ÁNGELES -- Mark Ellis da la impresión de ser una persona seria y reservada, alguien alejado de los flashes y del
glamour que generan la cercanía con Hollywood.
Sin embargo, el pelotero de los Dodgers de Los Ángeles tiene un lado sensible y dejó entrever algunas cosas en charla
con ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com.
Por ejemplo, el torpedero contó que sus mejores memorias datan de sus tiempos antes de alcanzar la Gran Carpa.
"Los de ligas menores son probablemente mis mejores recuerdos", asegura. "Ganamos el campeonato en mi primer
año".
Y es que el oriundo de Rapid City, en Dakota del Sur, empezó a jugar pelota a la temprana edad de siete años. Allí, creció
admirando y emulando a un par de miembros del Salón de la Fama.
"Me gustaba mirar a Kirby Puckett y a Ryne Sandberg", asegura sobre el jardinero central y el segunda base
respectivamente.
Al culminar la preparatoria. jugó pelota colegial en la Universidad de Florida. Sin embargo había sido descubierto un
tiempo antes, cuando tenía 16 años y jugaba para los Rapid City Post 22 en un torneo en Oregon, donde ganó el premio
al mejor jugador.
Mark Ellis
#14 2B
Dodgers de Los Ángeles
ESTADÍSTICAS 2012
 GM105
 HR7
 RBI31
 R61
 OBP.339
 AVG.261
"Me descubrieron jugando béisbol en la liga de la Legión Americana en Oregon", recuenta. "Habían mandado unos
ojeadores de la Universidad de Pepperdine".
El actual segunda base de los Dodgers recuerda el momento cuando se enteró que firmaría con un equipo ligamayorista.
Los Reales de Kansas City lo escogieron en la novena ronda del draft de 1999.
"Fue muy emocionante", asegura. "Sabíamos que me iban a escoger pero no a donde iba a ir. Tuvimos una fiesta y
estuvo mi entrenador de la preparatoria. Estaba emocionado, feliz y aliviado".
Su trayecto en las menores duró tres temporadas pero para él fueron momentos inolvidables.
"Lo que recuerdo de las ligas menores era jugar beisbol todos los días y pasar tiempo con los muchachos", expresa y
agrega: "Y no tener que ir a la escuela".
El torpedero, que debutó y jugó gran parte de su carrera con los Atléticos de Oakland, antes de pasar por los Rockies de
Colorado y desembarcar en el sur de California, es ahora también un padre de familia a tiempo completo, al menos en
su tiempo libre.
"Mis tres niños me mantienen ocupado así que mi principal pasatiempo es encargarme de ellos", comparte aunque no
oculta su pasión. "También me gusta jugar al golf".
A diferencia de gran parte de sus compañeros, quienes tienen gustos definidos, el jugador no tiene un género musical
favorito. Sin embargo, la canción de sus turnos al bate es "No Leaf Cover" de Metallica.
"No soy un gran fanático de la música", avisa. "Escucho lo que haya en la radio, las 40 principales, o lo que sea".
El infielder de 35 años tampoco sabe con exactitud lo que hubiera hecho con su futuro de no ser pelotero profesional,
pero lo que sí tiene claro son sus preferencias culinarias. "Si tuviera que elegir, mi comida favorita sería un buen bistec, a
la parilla", remata.
Por constancia y profesionalidad Mark Ellis es nuestro Dodger de la Semana.
Gran victoria sin grandes resultados
Rodrigo Azurmendi
LOS ÁNGELES -- Los Dodgers de Los Ángeles derrotaron a los Rockies de Colorado por 8-0 el viernes por la noche en el
Chávez Ravine pero la victoria fue una con gusto agridulce.
Los angelinos no pudieron descontarle diferencia alguna a los Cardenales de San Luis, ya que los dirigidos por Mike
Matheny cumplieron con su trabajo y aplastaron a los Nacionales de Washington por 12-2, manteniendo su distancia de
tres juegos. Con estos resultados, el número mágico de los del estado de Misuri es 3. Dicho número representa la
cantidad de victorias que deben conseguir para poder estar fuera del alcance de la novena de Don Mattingly.
Para salir victoriosos los esquivadores aprovecharon una noche magistral de Clayton Kershaw (13-9) y una ofensiva tan
variada como encendida para deshacerse de un rival que hace semanas que ya no pelea por nada.
"Es increíble lo bueno que es", confesó el dirigente sobre su as monticular. "Por eso es que todos se preocupan cuando
le pasa algo. Es por eso que sabemos que tenemos que cuidarlo".
COMO SUCEDIÓ
Luego de una primera entrada en cero para ambos equipos, los Dodgers saltaron a la segunda dispuestos a definir el
pleito de forma tempranera.
Fue Adrián González quien se embasó primero tras sencillo, seguido por Hanley Ramírez quien fue beneficiado por un
pasaporte. Andre Ethier aprovechó la oportunidad y con un doblete suyo mandó al mexicano a la tierra prometida para
poner el 1-0.
Acto seguido, el averiado Shane Victorino no pareció sentir demasiado dolor en su muñeca al conectar un maderazo que
se fue por encima de la cerca del jardín central, llevándose puestos al dominicano y al jardinero zurdo para extender el
liderato a 4-0.
Mientras Kershaw continuaba cocinando arepas, los californianos siguieron haciendo de las suyas, congestionándole las
bases al texano antes que pisara la caja de bateo. El lanzador cayó derecho en una doble matanza, pero fue Ethier
nuevamente quien pasó por caja para subir la quinta anotación. Vale aclarar que Kershaw debería haber sido declarado
a salvo en primera base, al llegar cómodamente. El umpire, en un error garrafal, claramente vio otra cosa.
El partido, prácticamente definido, cayó en una meseta que no fue quebrantada hasta la baja de la octava. Allí, un
incontenible Ethier volvió a embasarse con sencillo, para ser empujado luego por la combinación de un lanzamiento
descontrolado y un doblete de A.J. Ellis. El zurdo de Phoenix bateó de 4-3, con un RBI y tres carreras anotadas.
A continuación Bobby Abreu entró de emergente por Kershaw y con la cuenta 3-1 la mandó a volar, remolcando al
receptor y decretando el 8-0. "Por suerte pudimos agregar algunas carreras más al final", sostuvo el piloto. "Eso nos
permitió darle la noche libre al bulpén".
BRILLA KERSHAW
El texano acabó la duela con 8.0 entradas lanzadas, permitiendo solo cinco inatrapables y blanqueando a un equipo que
venía de racha pero que no contó con algunos de sus mejores torpederos.
"Nos han ganado todo el año y venía anotando un montón", recordó Mattingly. "Si conseguimos los outs, no importaba
contra quienes era".
Para lograrlo recetó 10 chocolates por tercera vez en la temporada (número 18 en su carrera). Además, su efectividad
desde el 29 de julio es de 1.59.
"La bola le estaba saliendo muy fácil", indicó el piloto. "A.J. me dijo que estaba tirando durísimo".
El serpentinero zurdo dijo no sentir resquicios de su lesión en la cadera.
"Se sintió bien", apuntó. "Trabajé bien entre aperturas y ayuda estar con descanso regular".
Kershaw observó que su estilo o agresividad no varió a pesar de lo holgado del resultado.
"Siempre picheo de la misma manera sin importar la ventaja", aclaró. "Sí fue bueno ir ganando, fue divertido".
VICTORIA DE SAN LUIS
El serpentinero se mostró cauto sobre las posibilidades de alcanzar la postemporada.
"Yo soy realista", dijo. "Estamos a tres con cinco por jugar.
Obviamente estamos mirando pero debemos ganar todos. Estamos jugando gran beisbol".
Mattingly fue más convincente, asegurando que los suyos necesitan incomodar a los Cardenales.
"Tenemos que mantener la presión a San Luis", avisó. "Debemos obligarlos a ganar todos sus juegos".
LO PRÓXIMO
Dodgers y Rockies continuarán la serie el sábado en el Dodger Stadium. El segundo juego será a las 6:10 p.m. (PT) y en la
lomita estarán Joe Blanton para los locales y Tyler Chatwood para los visitantes.
Mattingly confía en Kershaw
Rodrigo Azurmendi
LOS ÁNGELES -- Don Mattingly admitió el viernes que Clayton Kershaw ha dejado sus problemas físicos atrás y que está
listo para afrontar su cita monticular ante los Rockies de Colorado. El dirigente de los Dodgers de Los Ángeles dijo confiar
en la palabra de su abridor estrella.
"Claro que le creo", sostuvo. "Toda la rutina desde su última apertura ha sido 100 por ciento normal. Corrió y lanzó el
siguiente día y tuvo una sesión de bulpén al próximo. Hizo todo lo que haría normalmente".
El lanzador se había mostrado contrariado en días anteriores al no ser autorizado a jugar a pesar de sentir dolor. Para
Mattingly, esto fue un reflejo del hambre de gloria del texano.
"Es lo que amamos de él", aseguró. "Es un gran competidor". En su última aparición ante los Rojos de Cincinatti, el actual
ganador del premio Cy Young de la Liga Nacional lanzó cinco entradas, permitiendo igual número de hits y una carrera.
Sin embargo, el jugador no se fue conforme tras entregar un quinteto de pasaportes.
"Creo que solo estaba oxidado", opinó el timonel. "Si hubiera estado compensando no estaría jugando. Sé que estaba
frustrado pero solo él espera ser perfecto tras 12 días. Estará mejor hoy". A pesar de todo, Mattingly confirmó que
seguirán su actuación de cerca para detectar una posible recaída, tal como lo hicieron en su último juego.
"Seguro que lo estaremos vigilando de la misma forma", avisó. "Nos sentimos más cómodos esta vez porque se sintió
bien lanzando tras 12 días pero si siente algo lo sacaremos al instante". Listos para tomar la posta estarán dos de los
jóvenes abridores que han venido siendo utilizados como titulares ocasionales o relevistas.
"Hoy iba a ser el día de Stephen Fife", recordó el piloto. "Sería él o John Ely si hubiera que quitarlo muy temprano".
CUESTIONES DE PRADERA
Mattingly indicó que Andre Ethier estará en la alineación y explicó los motivos de su ausencia el miércoles ante los
Padres de San Diego.
"Le ha conectado bien a este lanzador [en el pasado]", apuntó sobre sus enfrentamientos con el serpentinero Jeff
Francis. "Unos días antes del [miércoles] venía sintiéndose frustrado y [Clayton Richards] le daba un montón de
problemas. Solo le dimos el día de descanso".
Además, desmintió todo tipo de especulación en cuanto a un cambio de rol para el jardinero izquierdo.
"Andre sabe batear y ha tenido un gran año", remató. "Está en la alineación y lo que se ha dicho sobre no hacerlo jugar
contra zurdos no es cierto".
El dirigente también mostró preocupación por la lesión en la muñeca del guardabosque Shane Victorino, a quien le ha
costado batear desde el lado derecho. Esto explica su descenso al octavo casillero del orden de bateo.
"[Preocupa] un poco y hay incertidumbre sobre cómo va a reaccionar", resaltó. "Lo vi batear como zurdo y tampoco se
lo vio bien. Ha estado practicando como derecho. No quiero tenerlo segundo en el orden y tener que sacarlo, por eso
batea octavo. Es más seguro".
EMERGE PUNTO
El mánager angelino aseguró que la reciente producción ofensiva del infielder Nick Punto le ha generado un deseo de
darle más protagonismo. Pese a esto, una cuestión de emparejamientos lo mandará a la banca para abrir la serie ante
Colorado.
"Realmente sí", se sinceró. "Nunca ha enfrentado a [Jeff Francis] y Mark [Ellis] sí y ha tenido éxito. Es difícil enfrentar a
alguien que no conoces".
El pelotero, adquirido a los Medias Rojas de Boston, es alguien con quien Mattingly cuenta para la temporada venidera.
"Se lo ha visto muy bien", indicó. "Nick juega con mucha energía y es bueno ver lo que nos ofrece. Batea ambidiestro y
juega en todos lados. Es una pieza de valor de cara al futuro".
Luis Cruz ha sido el Dodger más caliente
Dan Braunstein
Con otro partido de tres hits el jueves en la noche, Luis Cruz continúa siendo una parte clave de una ofensiva de los
Dodgers que podría comenzar a calentar mientras la temporada va cayendo. Aun cuando la ofensiva ha mostrado
algunas señales de vida en los pasados días, Cruz, que promedia .333 en septiembre, es el único titular que batea sobre
.300 en el mes.
Una cosa a estar pendiente con Cruz es si puede adelantarse en el conteo. En turnos al bate en el cual cae en desventaja
0-1, Cruz promedia m.246, no un bateador excepcional pero mejor que el promedio de la liga de .226. Sin embargo,
estando al frente 1-0, Cruz se convierte en el mejor bateador en promedio de la liga.
En turnos al bate en el que toma un primer lanzamiento, Cruz promedia .407, el más alto promedio de ese tipo en la liga
entre jugadores con al menos 200 apariciones al plato. Cruz estuvo al frente 1-0 en dos turnos al bate el jueves en la
noche y consiguió imparable en ambas ocasiones.
Cruz promedió apenas .258 en julio, su primer mes con el equipo, pero ha promediado .333 desde entonces. Una
diferencia clave puede ser vista en su promedio de bolas bateadas. En julio la mitad de las bolas que puso en juego
fueron rolatas, y conectó líneas cerca del 15 por ciento de las veces. Desde el comienzo de agosto, Cruz ha sido capaz de
cambiar algunas roletas por líneas; su promedio de pelotas bateadas por el piso durante ese trecho es de 33 por ciento,
y su promedio de líneas bateadas está cerca de 27 por ciento, entre los mejores de la liga durante ese periodo.
Cruz ha probado ser un bateador efectivo de bolas abajo, promediando .326 en turnos al bate que terminaron con un
lanzamiento en el tercio inferior de la zona o más abajo. Ese es el sexto promedio más alto en la liga entre jugadores que
al menos tienen los mismos turnos que tiene Cruz.
A diferencia de muchos jugadores con poca experiencia de Grandes Ligas, Cruz también ha demostrado que puede ser
efectivo contra lanzamientos rompientes; sólo cuatro jugadores en la liga tienen más turnos totales al plato y un
promedio más alto ante estos lanzamientos.
No sólo ha provisto valor con su bate, Cruz también ha estado sólido con el guante en la tercera base. De acuerdo a la
estadística de carreras defensivas salvadas, de Baseball Info Solutions, Cruz ha salvado siete carreras para los Dodgers
mientras jugaba tercera, y lo ha hecho en menos de 400 entradas. Sólo cinco antesalistas han sido acreditados con más
carreras defensivas salvadas que Cruz esta temporada, y todos han jugado al menos 1,000 entradas en la esquina
caliente.
En la serie de fin de semana ante los Rockies, los Dodgers verán dos lanzadores zurdos, Jeff Francis y Jorge De La Rosa.
Cruz no ha visto muchos zurdos en casa esta temporada en Dodger Stadium. Sin embargo, tiene 12 hits en esos 35
turnos al bate, bueno para promedio de .343. Se ha ponchado sólo en dos ocasiones.
En total, Cruz promedia .316 y tiene promedio de slugging de .456 contra zurdos esta temporada, una parte clave de un
equipo que tiene marca de 34-25 cuando los oponentes utilizan un abridor zurdo y 47-50 ante derechos. Con los
Dodgers pautados a enfrentar a tres zurdos en sus seis partidos finales, Cruz parece ser una parte importante en el
empuje final de los Dodgers a los playoffs.