Adams’ 3-run HR stuns Kershaw, Cardinals advance – USA TODAY
ST. LOUIS – Breaking down Game 4 of the National League Division Series at Busch Stadium.
Box score: Cardinals 3, Dodgers 2; Cardinals win series 3-1.
State of the series: Well, let’s just say that Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will have nightmares of the seventh inning for a long time this winter. He was brilliant, once again, through six innings, just like Game 1. He had given up just one hit and permitted two balls out of the infield through the first six innings. And then, along came that seventh inning. It was back in Game 1 when the Cardinals scored six runs in the seventh inning, leading off with four consecutive singles. This time, it was just three: a single by Matt Holliday, another single by Jhonny Peralta, and then a home run by Matt Adams.
Just like that, Kershaw’s dazzling performance went up in smoke, and he stood on the mound, bent over with his hands on his knees, staring in disbelief.
It happened, once again.
Now, Kershaw will head home for the winter, having a 7.82 career ERA in the Division Series, and a 5.12 ERA overall in postseason.
Baseball can be cruel.
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Game 2 pivot point: Adams, who had not homered off a lefty since July 7, sure picked an awfully good time to do it. He became the first left-handed hitter to homer off Kershaw’s curveball all season. The ball flew into the Cardinals’ bullpen, and a sellout crowd went absolutely berserk.
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Needing a mulligan: Mattingly. He had the decision to pinch-hit for Kershaw after six innings and turn to his bullpen. Yet, with the Dodgers’ bullpen woes, there’s not a soul who could blame him for leaving Kershaw in the game after 94 pitches. Sure, you could second-guess. But there wasn’t anyone who would first-guess the decision.
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What you missed on TV: The debate in the press box whether Kershaw would scream or punch Mattingly if he dared tried to take him out of the game before he gave up the home run. The man is a bulldog.
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Gambling managers: Mattingly yanked struggling All-Star center fielder Yasiel Puig out of his starting lineup and replaced him with Andre Ethier.
“Pretty simple, really,” Mattingly said. “We just feel like this gives us the best chance to win today.
“Looking at all of the factors, you kind of weigh them altogether, and still get back to we feel this is just the day for us to (do it).”
Ethier, the Dodgers’ longest-tenured player, didn’t produce a hit, but walked twice, a huge improvement over Puig’s strikeouts. Yet, he was picked off third base in the fifth inning, halting the Dodgers’ rally after two runs.
Puig, who has struck out in eight of his last nine at-bats, said he understood the decision, and wasn’t angry.
“Obviously, I haven’t been hitting well against St. Louis,” Puig said. “It’s about winning games. It’s about putting the best guys out there to win the game. So, I’m not upset.”
GALLERY: NLDS – DODGERS vs. CARDINALS
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