Dodgers 2, Giants 1: SF bullpen comes through for LA

Playoff-like atmosphere, no? The Dodgers came through late against the Giants bullpen to pull out a 2-1 on Monday night in Los Angeles in an exciting comeback win.

Things looked pretty bleak for eight innings. The Dodgers had all of two hits and weren’t showing much life. Then, the back-end of the Giant bullpen appeared, and the Dodgers went to work.

Clayton Kershaw was good, even if he wasn’t the sharpest he’s ever been: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. It was his longest outing and the most pitches he has thrown in a game since returning from the disabled list. The one run he allowed came in the most Giant way possible, as it started when Eduardo Nunez dribbled one by the mound and beat it out for an infield single. He then stole second base and took third on an errant throw by the injured Yasmani Grandal. Then, for good measure, Kershaw uncorked a wild pitch that scored Nunez. Yep. Later, Kershaw would walk a person named Gorkys Hernandez. It was the 15th walk … of his MLB career. It was Kershaw’s 10th on the season.

Still, Kershaw going as far as he did with no ill effects bodes well for the Dodgers going forward.

Unfortunately, Madison Bumgarner was on his game tonight. He out-pitched Kershaw to the tune of 7 IP 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K. The only hit he allowed was a second-inning double to Yasiel Puig.

Speaking of Bumgarner and Puig, this happened:

Sigh. It isn’t the first dust-up between Puig and Bumgarner. Probably won’t be the last. It appeared Bumgarner was the instigator, which is nothing new at this point, if we’re being honest.

On replay, Bumgarner yelled "expletive yeah" when he threw Puig out, but looks like it was Belt who made the first physical move at Puig.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 20, 2016

https://twitter.com/molly_knight/status/778086381486735361

Because, you know, players aren’t allowed to look at Bumgarner, apparently.

Why is Player 1 allowed to look at Player 2, but Player 2 isn't allowed to look at Player 1?

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 20, 2016

https://twitter.com/ChadMoriyama/status/778100062434037760

Yep, on both counts.

https://twitter.com/RA_Parker/status/778092400300417025

Unrelated … this is less than ideal.

https://twitter.com/Lahlahlindsey/status/778080563102113792

I doubt anything will come of this incident (suspension-wise), but it’s just really tiring and annoying.

Back to baseball: The Dodger bullpen pitched three scoreless innings. The Giants’ pen did not.

Andrew Toles led off the bottom of the ninth with a single, and then Corey Seager followed with a single of his own just under Joe Panik‘s glove after a tough at-bat against Javier Lopez. Then, Justin Turner came to the plate and Bruce Bochy went to the bullpen.

Curious why more teams don't leave lefties in to face Justin Turner, he of the 73 wRC+ against them.

— Dustin Nosler (@DustinNosler) September 20, 2016

Naturally, Turner singled to right off Hunter Strickland to tie the game at one. Adrian Gonzalez was up next and hit a high drive to right field that looked like a dinger off the bat, but a misplay by Hunter Pence allowed Seager to score the game-winning run.

https://twitter.com/ChadMoriyama/status/778104209703071746

The Giants have nine losses when leading after eight innings this season. That’s … unbelievable.

—–

The Dodgers improve to 85-65 on the season with the win, and the NL West lead is up to a season-high six games and the Magic Number is down to seven. Rich Hill (1.48 ERA, 1.74 FIP) gets the call tomorrow night against Johnny Cueto (2.86, 3.06). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Pacific time.

Baseball!