Mark it on the board. The Dodgers won their biggest post season game in 20 years as they came home from Philadelphia down two games to zero, and took home field advantage as they destroyed the Phillies, 7-2 on Tuesday, Oct. 12.
The Dodgers really came out fired up as they looked to make the statement that they weren’t out of the National League Division Series (NLDS). They came out hot and didn’t miss a beat when they scored five runs in the first inning. Everyone in the first put bat to ball it seemed like, but the knockout punch was delivered by rookie second basemen Blake DeWitt, who hit a base clearing triple with the bases loaded.
Rafael Furcal also made a splash with the bat which is a good sign for Dodger fans, as he went yard in the second inning for just his first time since May 3.
From the pitcher’s mound, another gem was delivered by rookie pitcher Hiroki Kuroda. He went six innings and gave up two earned runs. After leaving the game in the seventh, Corey Wade came in for two innings of relief and stroke two batters out, making himself look like a seasoned veteran on the mound in just his rookie year. Then, in the ninth it was left for Jonathon Broxton to close out the game, and he did just that commanding the game with a fast ball that reached as high as 99 mph and changing speeds to an 89 mph splitter.
The game did get a little testy in the top of the third inning, when Kuroda threw a pitch that sailed over Shane Victorino’s head. The pitch was in response to one thrown behind Manny Ramirez in the previous game, and Russell Martin getting hit in the shin earlier in the game. As Victorino grounded out, he said something to Kuroda, and just like that both benches cleared. Luckily, nothing came of the event, although Manny Ramirez did look like he was ready to throw some punches; he was restrained by coaches and players. Also Dodgers first base coach Mariano Duncan was getting into it with Phillies first base coach Davie Lopes.
All and all, this game really just set up a series that went from a blow out to interesting. The Dodgers are now down two games to one, but anything can happen as long as they are in Dodger Stadium.
