September 29th, 2012 at 1:52 pm 
by Ron Cervenka Although the Dodgers playoff hopes are hanging by a thread and their fate is no longer solely in their hands, they are playing as good of baseball right now as they have all season.
Bobby Abreu became only the 21st playing in the 50-year history of Dodger Stadium to hit a home run into the Loge Level. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)
Too little too late? Probably. But some pretty incredible stuff has been happening with this ball club during the past week and especially on Friday night – stuff that needs to continue for the Dodgers to have any chance of making it to the post season. Here’s a quick look at some of that good stuff:
- Clayton Kershaw struck out ten Rockies on Friday night, nine of them swinging. When I mentioned this to him he said “I felt good… very aggressive. I was just trying to get the at-bats done early.” His curveball was as good as I have ever seen it and responsible for most of his strikeouts.
- Adrian Gonzales extended his hitting streak to 10 games and is now hitting .276 since joining the team.
- Andre Ethier went 3 for 4 on Friday night with two of his hits (including a double) coming off of left-hander Jeff Francis.
- Bobby Abreu’s monster pinch hit two-run home run was only the 21st home run in Dodger Stadium’s 50-year history to reach the Loge Level. Although HitTrackerOnLine.com lists it as having traveled only 413 feet, it was a towering shot. The home run was Abreu’s third as a Dodger and the 287th of his 17-year career. It was his first-ever pinch hit home run.
- The Dodgers have scored 8 runs in each of their last three games.
- Luis Cruz went 1 for 5 on Friday night and his .306 batting average is tops on the Dodgers among regular players.
- After going 0 for 31, A.J. Ellis is 6 for 15 (.399) in his last four games.
- Shane Victorino’s home run on Friday night was his 2nd as a Dodger and 11th on the season.
- Clayton Kershaw’s backwards between the legs web gem grab of a ground ball that led to a 1-4-3 double play will undoubtedly help him win his second consecutive Gold Glove. In true Kershaw style, he said “I was just lucky.”
Good stuff indeed.
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That was some exciting game last night. It seems like the offense is finally starting to gel. Kershaw was amazing. I agree I think that was the best curve ball he’s ever had. I know the Cardinals won and they only need 3 more victories to end the Dodger’s season but I’m really happy with the way the Dodgers have been playing the last three games. They’re showing some heart and if they must go down at least they are going down fighting.
Zach Lee Will. Fight for every scrap as long as possible. Set the table for next year. Tough task tonight with Joe Blanton pitching, but Joe did really well last time out. Score a few runs and we win. Expect the unexpected.
It’s definitely a tough road ahead for the Dodgers to make it to that wild card playoff game. I think the only way it can happen is that the offense, which has suddenly awaken continues to click and we get help from the teams that are playing the Cardinals. But again it’s not going to be easy, not by a long shot. Personally I don’t expect it to happen but I’m sure hoping it does.
I’m officially back in. Hopefully this late season drama won’t distract from my studies.
It’s good to see this team fight on and makes this Dodger fan proud to be part of it.
I agree, Gary – but I fear that the fight started a few days too late; but we shall see.