By Jon Weisman
Well, hello there, from inside a tantalizing moment.
Behind a dominant performance by Clayton Kershaw and the offense, the Dodgers have clinched a tie for the National League West title after annihilating the Colorado Rockies, 14-1.
In theory, that should have settled the issue for the night of whether the Dodgers are division champions. But the Giants, who started their game at San Diego 30 minutes before the Dodgers did in Los Angeles, were still playing.
San Francisco led 3-0 after the first inning and 6-0 in the fourth, in a game started by Madison Bumgarner, before San Diego scored in four consecutive innings to tie the game. Moments before the Dodger game ended, the Giants took a 9-6 lead in the 10th inning.
That was the only tension in a night that was otherwise Carnival at Chavez Ravine.
Kershaw struck out six in seven innings of 91-pitch shutout ball, extending his streak without allowing an earned run to 19. He’ll have one more start before the postseason, but — just between us folks — he looks ready.
For Kershaw, it was his first win since returning from the disabled list. Sixteen Dodger pitchers had been credited with victories in between.
Meanwhile, the Dodger bats poured it on against Colorado with four in the second inning, four more in the middle innings and sixth in the seventh, capped by Josh Reddick’s first Dodger grand slam.
Justin Turner tied a career high by reaching base five times, with the Dodgers tallying 21 baserunners in all.
And the waiting continues …
oldbrooklynfan
No doubt. Kersh is ready.