LOS ANGELES – Scott Van Stolen Base. The Dodgers position player off the bench is usually not known for his speed. In fact, before tonight, Scott Van Slyke only had two stolen bases on the entire season. He doubled that total on Saturday night has he stole two bases and scored the winning run on a wild pitch to walk the Dodgers off in the 12th inning.
“We have guys who are on their own to steal bases. If you see a sign from a different place, you’re free to go,” said Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly after the game. “Our biggest guy on the team, got a single, stole a base, and scored on a passed ball. That’s exactly how we scripted it.”
It was double trouble for the Colorado Rockies. As the Dodgers beat the Rockies 6-5 behind three RBI doubles in the bottom of the 5th inning and the double steals by Van Slyke. It was Van Slyke’s first multi-steal game of his career.
The Dodgers won their 93rd victory of the season, surpassing last year’s total with still one game left to play on the season. It’s the first time the club has posted consecutive 90-win seasons since 1976-78.
Justin Turner continued is hot hitting going 2-2 with an intentional walk before being replaced in the 6th inning. Mattingly treated tonight’s game much like an All-Star game, making sure all of his players had an opportunity to play with just one game remaining in the season.
“The main thing I wanted to do was keep guys coming to the ballpark, expecting to play, having to get ready to play, get their at bats and then it’s over,” added Mattingly.
Before the game, the Dodgers celebrated the 17th annual Hispanic Heritage month with “La Gran Fiesta” a 4-hour party in the parking lot before the game honoring the Latino community and their “Viva Los Dodgers” campaign. Over 50 players, past and present, broadcasters, entertainers made themselves available to fans for autographs, dancing, performances and more.
Adrian Gonzalez celebrated “La Gran Fiesta” in style with a solo home run in the bottom of the first. It was Gonzalez’s 26th home run of the year and his league-leading 113th RBI of the year. He is now two ahead of the Angels’ Mike Trout, and six shy of his career high of 118. Gonzalez was taken out of the game in third inning for Scott Van Slyke.
The Dodgers had a scary moment in the 4th inning that had every Dodgers fan in attendance holding their collective breaths. Dodgers star shortstop, Hanley Ramirez, hit a foul ball hard off of his left knee that immediately had him writhing in pain on the ground. Ramirez eventually got up and continued his at bat (a walk), but was immediately replaced by Miguel Rojas.
“It didn’t look very good when I saw him rolling around like that,” said Mattingly. “Once he got up and moving he was okay, but he won’t play tomorrow.”
The Rockies broke the 1-1 tie in the 5th inning when Rafael Ynoa singled to center. Charlie Blackmon scored on the play, but Dodgers catcher, A.J. Eliis made a beautiful play throwing down to second to get Ynoa out trying to advance.
Van Slyke singled in Yasiel Puig to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning, after Rockies catcher Michael McKenry’s throw to second sailed into centerfield while trying to throw out Puig who was stealing on the play. Puig advanced to third. Matt Kemp followed up with a double down the left field line, scoring Van Slyke and giving the Dodgers a 3-2 lead.
The floodgates opened after that as the Dodgers tacked on two more following consecutive doubles to take the lead 5-2. After the lead, the Dodgers played a game of musical chairs as they moved around the entire defensive rotation. Joc Pederson, Alex Guerrero, Erisbel Arruebarrena, Roger Bernadina and Tim Federowicz all came on in place of Dodgers starters.
The Rockies got the game close in the 8th inning with a home run to left field by McKenry. The fans in the left field corner area, previously known as “Mannywood” showed their defiance by throwing the ball back onto the field of play. McKenry’s blast cut the Dodgers lead to 5-4, going into the ninth.
Pinch hitter Ben Paulsen took the first pitch he saw from Paco Rodriguez and delivered it into the right field pavilion. Paco was attributed with a blown save for giving up the game tying home run.
Dodgers’ pitcher, Carlos Frias 1-1, earned his first MLB win throwing 3 scoreless innings of relief with five strikeouts. It was a much better performance against the same Rockies team that put up 8 runs against Frias in the first inning.
“I felt more comfortable on this mound than the one in Colorado. My location was good and my pitches were working,” Frias told the media after the game.
“I’m excited!” he said smiling showing us the game-winning ball. When asked what he was going to do with the ball that commemorates his first major league win, Frias answer was simple, “I’m going to go home and give it to my Mom.”
Game Notes: Dee Gordon was taken out of the game after his first at bat for precautionary reasons while grounding out to second base. Gordon appeared to irritate his hip on his sprint to first, and with the playoffs starting in 4 days, Mattingly immediately went to his bench and replaced him with Darwin Barney.
Dodgers Hall of Fame broadcaster, Vin Scully held up a banner after the 7th inning stretch that read, “You’re the Best!” honoring the fans. Needless to say, he was given a standing ovation for his efforts.
The Dodgers improved to 6-12 on the season in extra innings games with the win.
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