Dodgers keep playoff hopes alive with walk-off by rookie (10/12)
Walk-off By Rookie Keeps Dodgers Alive
The Dodgers headed into the regular season’s final series against their rival SF Giants with a five game winning streak and hopes of forcing a one-game playoff against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals put the pressure on the Dodgers by beating the Cincinnati Reds and creating an elimination game for the Dodgers. A victory by the Dodgers would put the club in a situation where they would have to win the remaining two games while the Cardinals would need to lose both of their remaining games to be awarded the coveted one-game playoff. The Giants clinched the division but are still trying to get as best record as possible for possible home-field in the playoffs. The Giants Buster Posey is the favorite to win the MVP and will easily win the comeback player of the year after missing all of 2011. Key addition Hunter Pence (pictured below) from Philly is a big key for the team as he had over 100 RBIs this year.
The underdog, Aaron Harang outpitched Giants ace Matt Cain (both pictured above) allowing one run on two hits after six innings and 91 pitches, but the Dodger bullpen gave up the precious one point lead in the top of the 8th when Marco Scutaro singled off of Kelsey Jansen scoring Angel Pagan evening up the score at 2 – 2. The Dodger offense including Matt Kemp has been struggling of late so they will need some help with the Cardinals losing to have a chance.
An unlikely hero, rookie Elian Herrera, came through with a dramatic walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth that brought Hanley Ramirez across the plate for the winning run, 3 – 2 Dodgers. The crowd erupted and the Dodger’s hopes were kept alive. Co-Owners Magic Johnson and Mark Walter attended the game (photo below)
More info, schedule and tickets at www.dodgers.com