Dodgers: Finally!!! Dreaded 11-game losing streak comes to an end
By Jamaal Artis
The historic 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers have been struggling since the end of August. However, a win in San Francisco ends a dreaded 10-game losing streak.
Los Angeles Dodger fans, your long national nightmare is over as the Dodgers won their first game, breaking an 11 game winning streak their worst such streak since moving to Los Angeles. It can’t be overstated enough that a win much needed.
Playing with the emotions of a team trying to break an 11 game losing streak, the Dodgers seemed to maddeningly come through and continue to chip away at the emotions of Dodgers fans. Ace Clayton Kershaw went to the mound trying to be the slump breaker, hoping to continue to dominate the San Francisco Giants.
Kershaw in his career was 20-9 with a 1.64 ERA at the Giants AT&T Park. Kershaw started the game strong getting through the first two innings without much of a problem. In the third inning just as Dodgers announcer mentioned Giants batter Kelby Tomlinson was 0-14, the first pitch fastball was deposited in the left field seats.
Just like that, you could feel that “here we go again” feeling as the Dodgers found themselves trailing after three innings 1-0. In the top of the fourth the Dodgers backed up their ace immediately, as Chase Utley homered to tie the game.
Seeking some redemption of his own, Kershaw immediately doubled on a ball that seemed to be misplayed by Giants left fielder Austin Slater. Kershaw walked into second base pumping his fist showing the emotions of a guy trying to lift his team.
The very next hitter Chris Taylor hit a roller to shortstop Tomlinson with Kershaw running the throw went to third, but Kershaw avoided the out with an adept slide and suddenly the Dodgers were in business.
A Corey Seager sacrifice fly gave the Dodgers the lead at 2-1, after a strikeout and then an intentional walk to Cody Bellinger the game was broken open when Yasiel Puig hit a two run double missing a home run by inches in center field sending Giants starter Johnny Cueto to the showers.
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With a 4-1 lead, the Dodgers telecast reminded folks that Kershaw was 95-0 when the Dodgers scored four plus runs in his starts. Of course, when you’re in the tail spin the Dodgers have been lately those stats go out the window.
Los Angeles would have another chance to break the game open in the sixth with the bases loaded and one out but failed to score. That was magnified when Kershaw struggled in his half of the sixth, as he gave up two hits and a run, only a strike out with the bases loaded saved the Dodgers from giving up the lead.
In the seventh, the Giants would reduce the lead to one on a ground out score. The team, seriously in need of insurance, got just that when Justin Turner doubled home Taylor in the top of the eighth.
Kenley Jansen was brought in for a 4-out save as manager Dave Roberts used him like it was a playoff game. Nothing is easy though for these Dodgers though as Jansen had to strike out Buster Posey and Nick Hundley with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win.
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It’s just one win but everybody who loves this team will breathe easier knowing that the Boys in Blue have finally broken their losing streak.