D-backs 2, Dodgers 3: Kershaw outlasts Corbin

It's no easy task facing Clayton Kershaw, just ask every team he's faced this year. In the 13 starts before the one today, Kershaw had only given up 3 runs or more twice, so it was imperative for Patrick Corbin to pitch well and keep them in the game. And wouldn't you believe it, Corbin did! Well, except for one mistake.

Like was mentioned earlier, Corbin struggled from the get-go with his command. The 1st saw Justin Turner walk getting ahead 0-2, and Trayce Thompson singled to center. But after a wild pitch, Adrian Gonzalez struck out to end the threat.

The 2nd was more of the same for Corbin, with Howie Kendrick leading things off with a single. 2 outs later, a walk to Clayton Kershaw put another runner in scoring position for the Dodgers with Enrique Hernandez up. He'd ground a ball down the 3rd base line, but a solid player from Drury quickly ended that threat.

On the other hand, Clayton Kershaw was sharp from the get-go, using 15 pitches to strike out Segura and Goldy in the 1st. Many questioned Rickie Weeks Jr.'s inclusion in the lineup today but that doubt was erased immediately in the 2nd, as he turned around a fastball to give the D-backs an early 1-0 lead.

Kershaw recovered nicely until the 4th, when Weeks turned a single into a hustle double but was stranded there. A Yasmany Tomas walk (!!!) led off the 5th, but a first-pitch swinging Nick Ahmed grounded into a double play, erasing that hope.

Corbin skirted around trouble in the 3rd and 4th innings, but pitched well enough to escape any further damage. That good luck escaped him in the 6th, as the Dodgers mounted a two-out comeback. Adrian Gonzalez singled on a full count and Kendrick again singled, putting two runners on and Scott Van Slyke up. He made Corbin pay for his poor location with a 3-run blast to left field, giving the Dodgers a 3-1 lead that would unfortunately hold.

The D-backs did their best to respond, with Michael Bourn delivering a leadoff single. 2 outs later brought Paul Goldschmidt, who missed tying the game by inches on a long drive to left field that clanked off the yellow line but stayed in the park for a long single. Still, it drove in Bourn to cut the deficit to 3-2, in favor of the Dodgers.

The D-backs bullpen did it's part in keeping the game close, not allowing a baserunner over their 2 2/3rds innings but the offense was stymied by the Dodgers bullpen as well with their best chance in the 7th after a leadoff double from Welington Castillo. But like most things, we don't get what we want, as Kershaw carved his way through Tomas, Ahmed and pinch hitter Phil Gosselin to strand the runner at 2nd.

Before you knew it, Joe Blanton and Kenley Jansen mowed down the D-backs without much resistance to secure the game and series victory for the Dodgers.

Source: FanGraphs

MVP - Welington Castillo (+7.9%)

LVP - Nick Ahmed (-15.9%)

AzbacksfanInDc was in midseason form today, throwing out 170 comments to lead all on a Wednesday matinee game. Comment of the Thread goes to Jackwriter for this beautiful prediction.

The D-backs hit the road for a long roadtrip, starting Friday for 4 games against the Phillies. Enjoy the off-day and come back strong for a winnable series in Philadelphia.