Dodgers fall to Reds as team is in trouble on and off the field. Highlight is Gordon (6/11)
Kershaw and Cueto delivered low scoring innings through the 7th as what’s expected from the aces of the Dodgers and Reds, but it was the Dodgers’ bull pen that gave up two runs to put the Dodgers down 3 – 1 heading into the bottom of the ninth. Sure we should point the finger at the Dodgers’ relievers as they usually take most of the blame. How about focusing on some of the positives?
Let’s start with Dee Gordon, the 23 year old short stop that created a buzz at Dodger Stadium with his speed and throwing arm. Gordon caught my eye on a defensive play when he back handed a worm burner to deep short and threw a lightning rod to Loney for the out. It really is amazing to see a 150 lb. player throw with such velocity – kind of like the first time you see Tim Lincecum of the Giants pitch.
Gordon was involved in another highlight play in the fourth by preventing the go ahead run. Gordon was the relay between outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. and catcher Rod Barajas and turned Gwynn Jr.’s high throw into a perfect bullet right on target for Barajas to tag out the Reds’ Bruce. Barajas did a good job blocking the plate, but the key to the throw out was the arm of Gordon and the fans appreciated the new talent.
Let’s not forget about Dee Gordon’s bat. The switch hitter has an impressive average (.333) since he was called up to the Majors and when he gets on base, forget about it. Gordon loves to show off his speed and is getting the attention of MLB scouts around the league.
Kershaw held the Reds without a hit through the first three innings and the Dodgers maintained a 1 – 0 lead from an unearned run in the first. Ethier hit a grounder that should have been a routine double play if not for Brandon Phillips’ wide throw to first baseman Joey Votto. This allowed Gordon to score with his amazing speed and Votto to hold back from throwing to home. The Reds got their first run in the fourth off of Scott Rolen’s double. Votto singled in the Reds’ go ahead run scoring Cairo in the top of the eighth and Stubbs singled in the Reds’ third and final run in the top of the ninth.
Ethier, Kemp and Votto are the marquee names and some of the best in baseball, but it’s the nice surprises such as Gordon (pictured below) that excite the crowd and give us a developing player to follow and support. With attendance reported down as a result of the Dodger financial struggles, it sure seemed like a healthy, lively crowd on Tuesday evening. When Loney’s single in the bottom of the ninth pulled the Dodgers within one run, the fans exploded – not bad for a Tuesday night. Barajas popped out to end the game, another Dodger loss in the stats (3 – 2), but not a lost night of baseball for Dodger fans. Up next is the third game of the series in a day game before the Astros come to town. More at www.dodgers.mlb.com
gordon photo by us presswire
