It’s Blanton v. Chatwood today at 5:00PM PDT in Dodger Stadium. Blanton’s had little success since coming over to the Dodgers from the Phillies, posting a 1-4 record with a 5.57 ERA in nine starts. In his last start he showed some improvement, giving up one run in 5 2/3 innings against the Reds and getting a no-decision for his trouble. Chatwood is 5-5 with a 5.49 ERA this season, but he too had a pretty good game his last time out, giving up two runs on three hits over 5 2/3 innings to the D-Backs and getting the win.
The Cardinals’ magic number is three. The Dodgers have to win and hope the Nationals can do their part by beating St. Louis this evening. The Nats send out Jordan Zimmermann against the Cards’ Kyle Lohse.
Lineup:
Punto 2B .345
Ethier RF .285
Kemp CF .303
Gonzalez 1B .276
Ramirez SS .251
Victorino LF .252
Cruz 3B .306
Ellis C .268
Blanton P
Just getting some thoughts out here. I’m definitely rooting for Pittsburgh against Cincinnati tomorrow. I want the Reds hungry for wins when they play the Cards.
Gotta figure that the last game, at least, for the Reds will be a throwaway.
How crazy is it that with 4 games to go NONE of the 5 playoff spots in the American League have been clinched yet? I would say quite crazy…
Remember last year?
Would love – love – to be 1 back with 3 games to go.
2 back with 4 games to go. It could happen.
Now that we are in the ninth inning, I sure hope Dodgers don’t (need to) score 8 runs tonight.
Nats win! Nats win!
*Arte Johnson voice* Verrrry interesting.
Go Nats!
I like that as well. Double by Nats/Double play by Dodgers! We call that a double double…
Sounds like something Tommy’s or In-n-Out would sell.
I would be fine if the Nats and Cards went about 23 innings before the Nats won.
Nicer if they went 27 innings and counted it as three losses.
Free baseball in St. Louis, on to the 10th.
tie game, dang it
Sac fly, tie game in St. Louis.
Kozma singled, Descalso singled. 1st and 3rd, one out.
first and third for Cards, still only one out
Storen in to hold the Cards in the 9th.
or not…
Going to the bottom of the ninth in St. Louis, still 4-3 Nats. Schumaker, Kozma and a pinch-hitter expected up.
Kozma, Prince of Oz?
Dang
Bison goes yard!
And again! This is a pace for 34 dingers over 162, desite playing at less than 100%.
MATTY!!!!!!
And, the Cards got three in the bottom of the seventh. Nats still up, but by only one run.
I’m nervous about those Cards!
Wow. Heckuva catch, rook.
Phooey. DP.
Huge difference to start out NOT being in the hole!
Okay, Blanton. Pretty good first inning.
Nats – Cards Gameday link. It’s still 4 – 0 in the fifth. They got the four runs on a grand slam which had to be reviewed to be sure it was an HR.
That’s one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen. They made Morse re-do the swing, even!
Nats up 4-0, top of the first.
Great start!
If nothing else, the last few games are providing a glimpse of what is possible for next year. I’d love a strong ending so that the team goes into the offseason hungry and confident. In the meantime, let’s see if the Dodgers can pull off a miracle and do to the Cardinals what the Cardinals did to the Braves last year!
C’mon Nats