Deja Vu -One More Game To Go

  I am still excited about the Dodger win over the St Louis Cardinals yesterday.  It was the most unbelievable win all season.  I had thought that the Dodgers would lose the game..  Someone sitting behind me told me that he thought the Dodgers would win and that it would be a walkoff in the ninth inning.  I thought he was living in a dream world.  Wainwright pitched a fantastic game.  The only hit he had given up was Andre Ethier's booming homerun.  So with the score 2-1 with one out left, I thought that I should pack up and get ready to go home.  I had told the fan sitting behind me that the only way the Dodgers could win this game was when and if the relievers take over for Wainwright. 

I took the picture above after the walkoff win.  I stood there with the rest of the Dodger fans screaming and jumping up and down in excitement.  We were giving each other high fives and just yelliing.

But I am getting a little ahead of myself.  Scroll back to before the game.

Our starting pitcher was our baby Clayton Kershaw who just turned 21 not that long ago. 

He still looks like a teeenager.  He had a birthday just in time to drink champagne and celebrate with the rest of the team on Saturday when the Dodgers won the NLDS West. He had been out for a few weeks with a separated shoulder and had only pitched that game Saturday..

He was out in the field warming up.

He kinda looked like the right shoulder was bothering him a little

When he first came out, he had his warmup jacket on.

And then he threw a few warmup pitches.

It was nice that so many Dodgers were out in the field so we could see them up close.

Here is Billingsley in the front

There is Juan Pierre in the middle

I could see Ron Howard, the director and former Opie, trying to direct batting practice.

Here is Juan Pierre again.  He never is out in the field with the relief pitchers so I was happy to see him.  He just won the Roy Campenella award for most inspiring player.  You go, Juan. He's standing with James McDonald.

Hey, man, I think something's under my shirt!

Let me tell you a thing or two.  Jeff Weaver on the left.

I was shocked to see even Manny Ramirez out there looking halfwway interested.

Here is Vicente Padilla in the middle who will be our SP on Saturday.  It is amazing that we really don't have anyone on our team that is considered an "Ace" and yet we were able to defeat two incredible St Louis aces.  Go figure.

Here is Juan Castro who relieves Raffy Furcal at shortstop.  He just signed my NDLS West champions teeshirt.

A nice pic of Kuo, one of our great relief pitchers even after 3 elbow surgeries.  This guy just keeps coming back.

I was happy to see Kuroda-san in the field throwing  the ball.

It looks like he was being tested to see how he did by the trainers.  To his right is his translator who also translates for the Spanish speaking players.  Kuroda-san has been out with a herniation in his cervical spine.  The doctors say it is not from the hit in the head but I wonder about that.

Or course there was a little goofing off on the field.  Here are Belisario and McDonald acting quite chummy.

They all ran back into the dugout to change and regroup.

Matty came out to warm up.  

He loves getting stretched by the trainer.

Here he is stretching with the bat

Andre also came out early and did his own yoga

He always has a quiet moment after stretching and before signing autographs.  You can see how yoga really helps him relax

Another picture of Andre..  I really love this picture

Our relief pitchers made their way back to the bullpen.  About this time the fans are getting excited.

Russell was still out in the field warming up

He played catch for a while

I caught him without his cap

Slash played the National Anthem on an electric guitar which was a bit weird..

 Then Clayton and Russell made their way to the dugout

Clayton pitched a wonderful game.

Manny

Ronnie Belliard who hit one of the basehits at the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs which tied the game

James Loney, who got the rally started with his double.  Matt Holliday totally misplayed the line drive to left field.  The ball hit him in the stomach.  That would have been the third out.  James didn't pay any attention to whether the ball was an out or not.  He just ran his heart out.  Juan Pierre took over as pinch runner.  Poor Matt Holliday.  He was hecked by the Dodger fans before the incident and they were merciless after.  I know he felt terrible.

George Sherrill had a terrific ninth inning

Andre

Matt and Manny.  Manny threw a warm up ball to someone two seats to my right.  He certainly made that fan's day.

Raffy Furcal pulled his stockings up a few games ago and kept them that way since he has been so hot

Russell on base with Matty up

Manny fixing his hair

Andre running to right field

Manny with Matty in the background

Matty scuffling around in the dirt

Andre

Clayton

Casey Blake had the most important at bat.  He walked but had to settle down and gain his composure after a pitch that was thrown was called a strike.  Ball one-Strike two. 

Mark Loretta had the bloop single to centerfield that was the walkoff.  Casey slipped as he came home.  I remember telling Mark Loretta shortly after he signed with the Dodgers that he signed with them just in time to be in the playoffs with them.  I wonder if he remembers my telling him that.

When Andre was asked whether he minded someone else having the walkoff this time, he answered that all he was concerned about was being the first to jump on Mark Loretta.  Looking at pictures, Matty was first.  It was a huge dogpile of Dodgers.

I am so proud of my Dodgers.  They go to St Louis ahead with 2 wins.  St Louis, here they come.

Thanks everyone for stopping by.  GO DODGERS.