Game Recap: Kershaw Is Lights Out, Turner Powers Walk-off In Extras

A 19-minute power outage was all took to jolt the Dodgers’ offense in the 12th inning of Saturday night’s thriller against the San Diego Padres.  Turner would ultimately deliver the knock-out blow in the form of a bloop single, scoring a hustling Matt Kemp to walk it off and cut the NL West deficit to 2.5 games.

Kershaw delivered yet another lights-out pitching performance, tossing 8 innings of 2 ER baseball to go along with 9 strikeouts.  Clayton was efficient throughout the night, cruising through the first 6 innings on just 76 pitches.

On the flip-side, the Dodgers offense kept the momentum early after yesterday’s electric performance; scoring 3-runs on Machado’s 30th home run, before Padres right-hander Brett Kennedy could log an out.

El Ministro está presente. #PlayersWeekend pic.twitter.com/3YjCXwp8DI

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 26, 2018

After getting out of the 1st, Kennedy would settle down and the Padres’ pitching would cool down the surging offense.  Despite having opportunities, the Dodgers wouldn’t break through until a 7th inning lightning (445ft) home run by Max Muncy that put them up 4-2.

Kershaw was able to limit the late-inning damage after giving up a lead-off home run to Franmil Reyes in the 7th, and then a costly throwing error by Manny Machado that put the Padres within a run in the 8th.

After failing to to add a key insurance run in the 8th with men on 2nd and 3rd and no outs, the Dodgers sent Kenley Jansen to the mound to close out the 4-3 game in the 9th.  Kenley made quick work of the lead-off man Reyes, but was outshone by yet another home run – this one courtesy of Austin Hedges.

Kenley Jansen has struggled tremendously since coming off the DL on Monday pic.twitter.com/z9Pf31ePiN

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 26, 2018

On offense, the Dodgers weren’t able to muster much of the threat in the 9th, 10th, or 11th but were covered by the fantastic work of Maeda and Ferguson.  Together they blanked the Padres’ offense over 3 innings of work, allowing a combined 3 hits and striking out 4.

In the bottom of the 12th, Kemp electrified the stadium with a leadoff single and was quickly moved over with Kiké sacrifice bunt.  Perhaps it was too much electricity for Chavez Ravine to handle, because what followed was a 19-minute power outage.

Power went out in Bot 12th with Matt Kemp at 2nd base and Justin Turner at the plate.
Tied 4-4 #Dodgers #Padres pic.twitter.com/GJlwkCXqr9

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) August 26, 2018

It took just one pitch, with the lights back on, for Justin Turner to dazzle.  The Dodgers walked off on a perfectly placed bloop single with a final score of 5-4.

#Walkoff powered by RedTurn2. pic.twitter.com/h5HgaUH6g7

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 26, 2018

Looking Ahead…

The Dodgers will go for the series-sweep tomorrow afternoon.  Ryu, who’s been fantastic in his last couple of outings, will lead the charge against San Diego’s Robbie Erlin.

The Dodgers now trail both the Rockies and Diamondbacks, who are tied atop the NL West, by just 2.5 games.  After a break on Monday, they’ll take on the last-place Rangers for a two game series and a chance to gain some more ground in the Division race.