NLDS Game 4: Dodgers top Nationals to force decisive Game 5

Adrian Gonzalez celebrates with Justin Turner hitting a two-run home run in the first inning. (AP)

Who’s ready for a winner-take-all Game 5? The Los Angeles Dodgers made sure we’ll have at least one on Thursday, defeating the Washington Nationals in Game 4 of their National League Division Series, 6-5 at Dodger Stadium.

This was an edge-of-your-seat game from the seventh inning on. The Dodgers led all afternoon, but let a three-run lead slip away after Clayton Kershaw tired and the bullpen combination of Pedro Baez and Luis Avalan couldn’t clean up a bases-loaded jam. Fortunately, Andre Ethier and Chase Utley stepped up to fuel their own rally, with the latter driving in the winning run on an eighth-inning single.

• What more can you say about Chase Utley? The 37-year-old second baseman has done a little bit of everything for Los Angeles this season, and that continued in Game 4. Despite entering his critical at-bat just 2-for-12 in the series, Utley confidently smashed a single beyond the dive of Daniel Murphy to essentially save the Dodgers season. He was also involved in the game’s final out, shoveling a slow bouncer with his glove to first base. When it’s a big moment for the Dodgers, he’s the guy they want involved.

• After Corey Seager jump-started the Dodgers offense with first-inning production power the first three games, it was Adrian Gonzalez’s turn in Game 4. Gonzalez, who entered the game 2-for-13 in the series, smoked a two-run home run against Joe Ross, ensuring the Dodgers would lead again after one.

• Daniel Murphy’s postseason legend continued to grow with another huge hit against the Dodgers. Murphy’s two-out, two-run single in the seventh tied the game and temporarily gave Washington hope it would finish the series in Game 4. By the way, Murphy now has 11 RBIs in nine games against Los Angeles over the last two postseasons.

• Making his first career postseason start, Joe Ross was unable to provide a quality outing for Washington. Ross lasted just 2 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on three hits, three walks and two hit batters. His erratic outing could have been even worse if not for Oliver Perez, who inherited a bases-loaded situation but retired Yasmani Grandal to end the third inning.

• Dodgers reliever Pedro Baez had one job: Retire Jayson Werth with the bases loaded. He ended up throwing just one pitch, which struck Werth and allowed a Nationals three-run rally to continue.

In a game filled with key moments, it really comes down to the eighth inning. The Dodgers put together a two-out rally, with Andrew Toles reaching on a hit by pitch and Andre Ethier picking up a single as a pinch hitter. That set the stage for Utley, who delivered again in a clutch situation.

 

• They’ll definitely be talking about Dave Roberts handling of Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers ace took a shot at rewriting his postseason legacy with one of the most impressive individual performances we’ve seen so far this postseason through the first six innings. Unfortunately, he hit a wall once reaching the 100-pitch mark in the seventh inning and ended up being charged with five runs after the Dodgers bullpen allowed all three inherited runners to score. His 110 pitches were the fourth most he’s thrown all season, so it’s likely the workload caught up to him. In a season in which Roberts was criticized heavily for pulling pitchers early, he probably erred in sticking with Kershaw.

• Which team will get postseason redemption? The Dodgers and Nationals have both been considered postseason contenders dating back to the 2012 season. They’ve both fielded deep rosters and enjoyed great regular season success during that time, never winning less than 86 games in a single season. Yet they’ve combined for only one NLCS appearance, which the Dodgers lost in 2013. That’s a lot of disappointment and missed opportunities, but one team will have a chance to overcome it all and rewrite their place in history.

It wasn’t just Tuesday that Clayton Kershaw’s bullpen let him down. This has been a running theme dating back to 2013.

Another angle on Kershaw: In 10 playoff GS since 2013, he has exited leaving 9 runners on for his 'pen. That 'pen allowed 7 of 9 to score.

— Tristan H. Cockcroft (@SultanofStat) October 12, 2016

Given that the Dodgers were in survival mode, they moved up Clayton Kershaw for Game 4. They left something of a dilemma in terms of their starting pitcher for Game 5. They’ve opted to go with veteran left-hander Rich Hill, who was torched in an abbreviated outing in Game 2. It was a much easier decision for Washington, who will roll with Cy Young candidate Max Scherzer at home. The game time will be determined by the outcome of the Cubs-Giants NLDS Game 4.