If the Dodgers wanted to reverse their recent slide and avoid a sweep this afternoon, they needed at least one of the following two things to happen, and preferably both:
1) For Joe Blanton to stop pitching like the Triple-A mess he’d been in his first four Dodger starts, and
2) For someone, anyone, on offense to start producing, especially with Matt Kemp out
I’m guessing that “nearly blow a 10-1 eighth inning lead” wasn’t on the list, but what fun would it be if it weren’t interesting?
Blanton, nothing short of a disaster in his first month as a Dodger, was finally effective in getting into the eighth inning having avoided any major damage. With everything that’s happened to the rotation recently, Blanton’s performance can’t be understated, and there was just no way he was going to continue being as poor as he’s been. Blanton left with two on in the eighth up 10-1, and that’s where things got ugly.
Shawn Tolleson, just recalled back to the club today when Scott Elbert went on the disabled list, faced four batters and allowed four to reach, adding two runs to Blanton’s ledger. Randy Choate entered to hit Tyler Colvin to force in another run, and Ronald Belisario followed to allow two more (all of which were charged to Tolleson). With Kenley Jansen unavailable – and more on that in a second – Belisario was forced to pitch the ninth as well, which he fortunately was able to get through without allowing the Rockies to complete what would have been a soul-crushing comeback.
While the pitching staff made things interesting, the offense provided fireworks of their own. Shane Victorino, Adrian Gonzalez, Andre Ethier, Juan Rivera, & A.J. Ellis all had two hits against Colorado starter Drew Pomeranz and friends, with Hanley Ramirez hitting his eighth Dodger homer and A.J. Ellis hitting his first grand slam. You just can’t say enough about Ellis at this point, can you? His 11th homer of the year is more than half as many as the 19 he had in parts of nine minor league seasons. His OBP is .386. He is, as they say, the greatest man in the world.
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Unfortunately, today’s win came with some very bad news about Jansen, whose unexplained absence in the ninth left many wailing at Don Mattingly. Well, here’s why we didn’t see him:
Kenley Jansen was unavailable yesterday and today because of something to do with his heart. No word on how long he’ll be out.
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) August 29, 2012
Jansen’s heart problem is related to the one that forced him to go on the disabled list last year.
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) August 29, 2012
This is now the third time, I believe, that Jansen has had heart issues which have cost him time, and it’s beginning to become a serious concern. Oh, sure, it’s a big problem that a team in the playoff hunt may have just lost their dominating closer, but beyond baseball, Jansen’s health is the priority here. Assuming Jansen checks out and doesn’t have more pressing worries about this, the Dodgers have worries of their own. Brandon League, closer? Terrifying to think about, but it’s what Mattingly hinted at after the game because of League’s “experience”. No. Thanks.
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Finally this afternoon, the Dodgers announced who they’d be sending to the Arizona Fall League, which is annually one of the best places to see the collected top talent in the minor leagues. Pitchers Red Patterson, Eric Eadington, & Steven Rodriguez, catcher Gorman Erickson, infielder Rafael Ynoa, and outfielders Yasiel Puig & Joc Pederson will be joining the Salt River Rafters, which is comprised of players from Houston, Colorado, Detroit, and the Dodgers. Before anyone asks, no, Zach Lee & Chris Reed did not need their seasons extended with even more innings. Only players who have not appeared in the majors are eligible, so if there was any thought of Alex Castellanos or someone like him, that’s why he’s not here.
