Anderson sparkles but lacks support in 4-1 loss

Most of the buzz surrounding this game was due to Zack Greinke being scratched from this start due to a sore calf, and probably with good reason. The Dodgers, barring some meteor falling from the sky or a long losing streak, not sure exactly is more likely, will make the playoffs. It's awful to think about but I guess that's what you expect from a payroll of over $300 million. Thankfully, Chase Anderson didn't care about that and pitched beautifully, although it certainly didn't start that way.

Chase Utley led things off for just the 10th time in his careerblasted another wall scraping home run to center field on the first pitch of the game. That's now been at least 3 home run balls the Pollock has put leather on but just hasn't been able to reel them in. It's obviously a tough play if A.J. can't come up with it. Anderson settled in after that, giving up just 2 walks, one in the 1st to Adrian Gonzalez and the other in the 2nd to Jimmy Rollins through his 6 innings of work. His changeup was working well, getting swings and misses on virtually everyone who approached the plate as he ended the day with a career-high 10 strikeouts. That matched the season high for a starter this year, when Patrick Corbin accomplished the same total over 7 innings.

Replacing Greinke on the mound was Carlos Frias, who pitched pretty well in his previous starts against the D-backs. Over his previous 3 starts and 17 IP against the team, his ERA was 2.12 and that continued tonight. He went 4 IP in just his 2nd appearance since going on the disable list and gave up just 1 hit, a game-tying home run to Paul Goldschmidt in the 2nd inning.

The offenses for both teams struggled, with the D-backs getting 5 hits and Dodgers 4 on the night. But for the Dodgers, they were able to string together their hits starting in the 8th with the game tied 1-1. David Hernandez was called upon in relief and Rollins took advantage with a bunt single to the right side. Ronald Torreyes came on as a pinch-hitter and sacrificed to 1st to move Rollins to 2nd. Hernandez looped a curveball up to the plate on the first pitch, and Utley made him pay with a deep drive off the base of the wall in right field to make things 2-1. Chip Hale had seen enough and made the switch to Matt Reynolds to face Corey Seager, who deposited a home run down the right field line to give the Dodgers a 4-1 lead.

The 9th started off well, with Ender Inciarte knubbing a ball off the end of his bat for an infield single, but Chris Owings popped out foul to Gonzalez just behind first, Pollock flew out, and Goldschmidt lined out to Utley to end the game and give the Dodgers the win 4-1.

Source: FanGraphs

Champ - Chase Anderson (+21.8%)
Chump - David Hernandez (-29.4%)

Comment of the thread goes to I suppose I'm a Pessimist for a spot on prediction.

Come back tomorrow as the D-backs face the Dodgers in the last game of the 4-game series. Clayton Kershaw faces Patrick Corbin in a battle of lefties at 12:10 PM.