Game-4 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday afternoon was a microcosm of their entire 2016 season. They received great starting pitching from the best pitcher on the planet who yet again lived up to that lofty but well-deserved title, at least until he was squeezed by some of the worst umpiring we have ever seen. They struggled horribly at the plate – especially with runners in scoring position – and then once again got the crucial hits they needed with their backs against the proverbial wall. And, of course, they had the best bullpen in all of baseball, save for two bad pitches, seal the deal. The bottom line is that the Dodgers did exactly what they absolutely had to do to avoid elimination to continue their “improbable … impossible” season.

As Dodger fans have come to expect, often unfairly so, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was… well, Kershaw-like. Through his 6.2 innings of work – on three days rest, no less – the 28-year-old Dallas, Texas native allowed five runs (three of which came after he exited the game) on seven hits with two walks and 11 strikeouts. And though Kershaw eventually ended up with a no-decision, he was one hit batsman (by right-hander Pedro Baez on the very first [and only] pitch he threw with the bases loaded and two outs, and an 82-MPH change-up left right over the middle of the plate by left-hander Luis Avilan for a two-out, two run single off the bat of Dodger killer Danial Murphy) away from his second 2016 NLDS win. Fortunately, sure-fire right-hander Joe Blanton came in and struck out Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon on three pitches to end the inning and the threat, but with the game now tied 5-5, thus denying Kershaw what should have been a 5-2 Dodgers win.

There are some who were critical of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts for going with Kershaw on three-days rest instead of going with rookie left-hander Julio Urias in Game-4 and saving Kershaw for Game-5, but the simple reality is that there may not have even been a Game-5 were it not for Kershaw’s brilliant performance on Tuesday. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

After a scoreless bottom of the seventh, the 35-year-old Blanton retired the Nationals in order in the top half of the eighth, whereupon those Dodgers finally showed up … the ones who helped lead them to more come-from-behind wins than any other team this season.

Without Joe Blanton the Dodgers may not have won Game-4 of the NLDS on Tuesday afternoon; or even been there, for that matter. (Photo credit – Juan Ocampo)

After two quick outs by Nationals right-hander Blake Treinen, he hit Dodgers rookie outfield sensation Andrew Toles on the left forearm with an 89-MPH slider. For reasons that only he knows, Nats manager Dusty Baker opted to stay with Treinen instead of going with a left-hander to face left-handed hitting Andre Ethier – aka: “Captain Clutch” – who was pinch-hitting for Blanton and with the left-handed hitting Chase Utley on deck. As he has done so often throughout his 11-year major league career, Captain Clutch delivered yet again with a sharp single to left field to advance Toles to second base representing the go-ahead run. To this point Ethier, who had been included on the Dodgers postseason roster for exactly this purpose, had yet to have an official at-bat in the Division Series even though he had been introduced as a pinch-hitter in Game-2 but was pulled back after Dusty Baker made a pitching change immediately following Ethier’s introduction.

There was absolutely zero doubt that Andre Ethier would somehow and in some way live up to his nickname “Captain Clutch” … and he did. (Photo credit – Juan Ocampo)

With two outs and runners at first and second, Utley laced Treinen’s 1-2 pitch – also a slider – into right field to easily score the speedy Toles from second base to give the Dodgers a 6-5 lead. Utley became only the fourth player in Dodgers history to produce a hit that scored what proved to be the winning run in the eighth inning or later in a game in which the team faced playoff elimination. The others were Jackie Robinson (during the 1956 World Series vs. Yankees), Steve Garvey (during the 1981 NLDS vs. Expos) and Rick Monday (during the 1981 NLDS vs. Expos). [Source: Elias Sports Bureau].

Utley joined some very good company in Dodgers history with his game-winning hit on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Utley would also make an outstanding defensive play in the top of the ninth inning in which he fielded a sharp grounder to his left and made an near-impossible glove flip to Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who had wisely rushed over to cover first on the play, for the third and final out to give Blanton the well-deserved win and Jansen the save.

…It also kept the Dodgers alive for Game-5.