The positive aspects of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ victory over the San Francisco Giants – MLB Update
There were a lot of expectations in the game between the San Francisco Giants and the hosts, Los Angeles Dodgers, on Opening Day. It proved to be an amazing stint for youngster Clayton Kershaw and the rest of the home squad, as they picked up an amazing
victory against the visiting 2010 World Series Champions. There were a lot of positives that came up in the encounter and that is something the club manager, Don Mattingly will look at keenly before tomorrow’s game.
Kershaw out-dueled Tim Lincecum, as he allowed four hits off 95 pitches in seven innings of play. Without conceding a single run, Kershaw put the Dodgers on the top with a one run advantage over the visitors.
"He's now up there with the best in baseball," said catcher Rod Barajas. "He's got the whole package. He's got some kind of gift."
The hosts converted their first run in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Matt Kemp first walked and then made his way to the third base, following a throwing error by Miguel Tejada on a James Loney grounder to third. Kemp eventually scored as Giants’ catcher,
Buster Posey conceded an error throw. Lincecum had hit Juan Uribe with the delivery to kick off Kemp’s run towards the home plate.
Kemp was back in the action in the bottom of the eighth, as he was walked by Santiago Casilla. He soon stole second and finally scored his second run when James Loney doubled a shot to the deep right side of the field.
“I didn't swing at bad pitches," said Kemp, who had a single, three walks, one steal and two runs scored. "I was patient. That's one of 162. We made things happen, took advantage of Giants mistakes and got the 'W.'"
It had looked like the Giants were looking to score, but their march for a run had been stomped by their former player, Juan Uribe. Brandon Belt had been walked by Kershaw. Pablo Sandoval then pushed in for a single in a hit towards the second. When Tim
Lincecum came in to bunt, Uribe was right on him, cancelling out Sandoval from the second base.
"That might be a play that nobody notices," Barajas said of Uribe's defensive move, "but we did the little things to win."
The Dodgers looked impressive tonight and it will be interesting to see if they are able to repeat the same performance again tomorrow.
Tags: