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By Jon Weisman
It’s the old story — they’re ready to write you off, and then you write yourself back in.
Alex Guerrero, who went from potential 2014 starting second baseman to potential 2015 castoff, has done nothing this year but make the case that he belongs.
And after facing an 0-2 count and two out in the bottom of the 10th inning, Guerrero’s no-doubt single to right center made the Dodgers 6-5 winners over Seattle.
Guerrero, whose fourth-inning sacrifice fly drove home the Dodgers’ first run, remains a reserve — Juan Uribe is expected back in the starting lineup Tuesday — but bit by bit, he is generating more confidence.
The night showcased the Dodger bench in a few ways. Andre Ethier doubled to start the Dodgers’ 10th-inning rally. Scott Van Slyke threw out Logan Morrison trying to stretch a single into a double, and might have made the play of the game when he tagged up and went from first to second base on Guerrero’s sac fly.
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That baserunning alertness put Van Slyke in position to score on Joc Pederson’s single.
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Meanwhile, the Dodger bullpen was nearly flawless, with Pedro Baez, Paco Rodriguez, Joel Peralta and Yimi Garcia combining to retire nine of 10 batters with five strikeouts.
Los Angeles has now rallied from 2-0, 3-1 and 4-0 deficits to win games this season. Almost exactly one year ago, the Dodgers also won their first interleague game of the season on a walkoff hit in the bottom of the 10th inning, when Carl Crawford drove home Chone Figgins.
Adrian Gonzalez, who doubled and scored the tying run earlier in the game and was intentionally walked in the 10th inning, has reached base 20 times in the Dodgers’ first seven games and is OPSing 1.884.
Roger Miller
Guerrero came through for sure tonight. No question he can hit, but the question is where he can play defensively that won’t hurt the team. 3b isn’t a bad idea as his offense will be better than Uribe. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds as the year goes along.
oldbrooklynfan
Let’s give credit to the bench and the bullpen for this win.
Stanley Moskowitz
Guerrero is the man 4 the 3rd base job….don’t make the decision 2 put Uribe back at 3rd for which you will be hurt…Uribe best days are in the past….and future is with Alex
Try and use common sense before you decide who plays 3rd
Want 2 look like a genius stick with Alex…want 2 look like a/o play Juan…..