Dodger Blue

The Dodgers 4-3 (12 innings) win over the San Francisco Giants wasn’t just an ordinary win. It was the win that the Dodger clubhouse hopes will catapult to a much needed winning streak.

Ever since the injury to Kenley Jansen, the Dodgers have wilted in the last innings. Going into last night their five game losing streak had exposed that if LA doesn’t have the big man, they can’t close games. During the losing streak to the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers gave up 8 runs in the ninth inning.

Last night didn’t help quell that feeling despite the victory. The Dodgers entered the 8th with a 3-0 lead. What happened next has been all too familiar of late. The bullpen failed.

This time it was Caleb Ferguson’s turn. Ferguson started the inning by giving up a base hit and a walk. After recording an out, he gave up monstrous 3-run home to the Giants’ Andrew McCutchen. But, unlike the previous five games, the Dodgers would find a way to win. This time in the form of a Brian Dozier sacrifice fly in the 12th.

“A big relief, to say the least,” Dozier said. “A huge win. A much-needed win.” – LA Times

Jansen will probably be out, at least, a month and it’s being reported that he’ll need a second heart surgery in the offseason.

Currently, LA is tied for second, 1.5 games out of first place, 2.5 out of the Wild Card. But, to most Dodgers’ fans, the deficit seems much bigger than that. If you can’t close games in August and September, how do you make the playoffs? No lead is safe for LA once they get past the 7th inning. Last night’s win will allow the Dodgers to exhale a bit but their inability to close games will have everyone holding their breath again.

 

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