It happens more often than one may realize – something that Dodgers fans are (painfully) far too familiar with – their team misses making the postseason by exactly one game. And heaven forbid, should it happen again in 2022, Dodgers fans won’t have to look very long or very hard to find ‘That’ game.

‘That‘ game, more specifically, ‘That‘ inning, occurred on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Oracle Park in San Francisco against the division-rival San Francisco Giants.

Allow me to explain, although no explanation is necessary if you watched the game on Fox Sports or listened to it on AM 570 LA Sports. In the top of the seventh inning and trailing The Hated Ones by a score of 2-0, the Dodgers loaded the bases … with no outs.

But wait, there’s more…

With the tying run in scoring position on second base and the go-ahead on first, the Dodgers had their current home run leader, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, at the plate, with the (former) National League’s best hitter, Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner, in the on-deck circle. I mean, what more could Dodgers fans ask for, right?

It didn’t happen.

Rather than (painfully) elaborate, here is how it played out according to MLB.com:

Pretty bad, huh?

But wait, there’s more…

The Dodgers loaded the bases again in the top of the eighth inning (albeit with one out) but managed to score only one run, with second baseman Gavin Lux and perennial All-Star right fielder Mookie Betts both striking out swinging to end the inning, with the Dodgers (now) trailing 2-1.

Unfortunately (come on … you knew this was coming), the Giants made it 3-1 in their half of the eighth inning on a wild pitch by Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel. And even though Freeman would hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth, the Dodgers fell to NL West third-place Giants (for the second-consecutive day) by a final score of 3-2.

But the day wasn’t a complete loss. Saturday’s game saw the return of future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, who was activated from the Injured List just prior to game time, having been on the IL since May 13 for ‘right SI joint inflammation’ – an injury that causes discomfort to the lower back, buttocks, and down one or both legs. And even though the extremely popular 34-year-old Dallas. TX native went only 4.0 innings and made only 71 total pitches (43 strikes), he allowed only two runs on three hits (including a two-run home run by Giants second baseman Thairo Estrada), while walking two and striking out four.

The Dodgers are hoping to avoid being swept by their longtime division rivals in Sunday’s series finale, with Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías on the mound opposite Giants left-hander Carlos Rodón. First pitch is slated for 1:05 P.M. PT.

Play Ball!

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