Dodgers 14, Rockies 1: Still Waiting To Clinch

The Dodgers trounced the Rockies in a mercy-rule win tonight, 14-1. The win was the fourth in a row for the Dodgers and it meant they won the series, but the Dodgers are unfortunately still waiting to clinch the division. Why? Cause the Giants and Padres are in extra innings right now, but it sure seems like the Giants are gonna win it since they’re up by three runs now.

Oh well.

At least the Dodgers made this one a laugher.

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Clayton Kershaw looked like his normal self, getting through seven shutout innings in an efficient 91 pitches. Kershaw surrendered only three hits while striking out six batters on the night. While he wanted to go more, it was absolutely unnecessary given the score, and even he didn’t fight it that much.

The most noteworthy thing is that on his last pitch of the night, he dropped his arm angle like Rich Hill, and painted the corner with a 96 mph fastball.

We can spot that pitch (and a similar one thrown earlier, as @knopebam noted) in Kershaw's release-point chart. https://t.co/GmMmrgHzNk pic.twitter.com/GaQg7xVVJP

— Positive Residual (@presidual) September 25, 2016

Said he was "inspired by Rich Hill" who drops down to the side a lot. "Thought I'd try it." Kershaw threw fastball both times https://t.co/ZnK1ud6A30

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 25, 2016

That’s … interesting, potentially.

But why was it unnecessary for Kershaw to keep his shutout going? Um … cause the Dodgers got eight walks (and a hit by pitch) and put up 13 hits (one double, one homer) en route to scoring a whopping 14 runs.

Joc Pederson got the scoring started in the second with a single to right with the bases loaded, which scored Yasmani Grandal and Josh Reddick.

Joc doesn’t like getting punched in the arm, apparently.

The scoring continued later when a Corey Seager ground out plated Howie Kendrick, and then Justin Turner drove in Joc with a single to center to put the Dodgers up 4-0.

The Dodgers added to the lead in the fourth, when a Chase Utley routine fly ball was dropped in left and Joc scored from second after the catcher also dropped the relay throw.

Following that, JT made it 6-0 after he hit a ball basically off the ground for a single to center to score Utley.

That was about the Rockies night in a microcosm. I mean, it got to 7-0 because they intentionally walked Joc with two outs and then Kershaw himself singled to drive in Reddick.

In the sixth, Reddick singled to drive in JT and put the Dodgers up 8-0, but the game was really destroyed in the seventh. Again, the Rockies kinda shot themselves in the foot, as an interference call drawn by Utley allowed the inning to continue, and A-Gon drove in Joc and Utley on a single to make it 10-0. But it got worse from there, as the bases were loaded and Reddick had himself a day by bombing a ball to right for a grand slam and 14-0.

It, uh, it got a little nuts. After Reddick posted a sub-.400 OPS month in August, even I got down on him, but in September his OPS is approaching 1.000 now. Sample sizes, right?

Anyway, back to the mound, Jesse Chavez relieved Kershaw and instantly RUINED EVERYTHING by giving up a solo shot in his inning of work to make it 14-1. Adam Liberatore then entered to seal the win, and he did so with a scoreless frame. More importantly, he looked a lot more like his usual self despite giving up two bloop singles, which is important for a potential playoff roster decision.

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The win gets the Dodgers to 89-66 overall, which is a season-high 23 games above .500, and 52-28 at home, which is a 105-win pace. Unfortunately, the Giants are beating the Padres, so while the NL West lead is currently 7.5 games we’re a few minutes away from them being still up only 7 games. The Magic Number is down to 1 right now, but it seems like it’ll stay there for tonight. Meanwhile, in the race for home-field advantage in the NLDS, the Nationals beat the Pirates, so the Dodgers still trail by 1.5 games.

The Dodgers go for the series sweep against the Rockies tomorrow afternoon at 10:10 AM HST/1:10 PM PST/4:10 PM EST on SportsNet LA. The pitching matchup is a bit of a tough one for the Dodgers, with back from injury and the yips Brandon McCarthy (3.63 ERA/3.96 FIP/6.86 DRA) against potential emerging star Tyler Anderson (3.58 ERA/3.59 FIP/3.12 DRA).