Usually, Andre Ethier is clutch with his bat in the late innings of close games. Tonight, he was clutch with his glove. Ethier robbed rookie Brandon Allen of extra bases when he made a spectacular catch in right center field, leaping and crashing into the wall, to preserve a 4-3 lead to end the eighth inning. And that's how the game would end.
After losing a tough game last night in 10 innings after acquiring Jim Thome and Jon Garland during the game, the Dodgers came out and grabbed an early lead as they so often do. After a Matt Kemp homerun in the first inning tied the game at one, the Blue added solo runs in the next two innings to grab an early 3-1 lead. Eventually, the D-backs would come back and tie the game with two runs in the sixth, spoiling a solid start by Vicente Padilla in his first home start.
Ethier drew a bases loaded walk in the 7th inning to break the 3-3 tie before making his big catch in the top half of the next inning.
A couple of days ago, there was a poll somewhere on a Dodger message board or another Dodger blog asking pollers who they thought was the Dodger MVP so far. Clayton Kershaw was well ahead in the poll, but I have to believe that because they're everyday players, and because of some of the big hits and plays they've made all year, that Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier should be co-MVP's.
Tonight, it was Ethier's turn again to show us why he's a co-MVP's.
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On another note, Jon Garland was scheduled to pitch Thursday night against the Dodgers before he was traded to the Dodgers. He's still starting Thursday night, but now it will be for the Dodgers against - yep, you guessed it - the Diamondbacks. Funny how this game works.
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