Zack Greinke struck out a career high 13 batters through his eight innings pitched, giving up only one run to the Atlanta Braves, as the Los Angeles Dodgers took home the victory by a score of 3-2 in ten innings. Greinke now has 5 games with double digit strikeouts, most among NL pitchers and more than the rest of the Dodgers staff combined. Greinke also recorded his 150th strikeout, enough to tie him for third in NL.

The dominance for Greinke started early, as he only needed 51 pitches to strike out five in four innings, he did not walk a batter in that span. Greinke’s one earned run allows him to hold an ERA of 2.65, good for seventh among National League pitchers.

He left the game in the hands of Kenley Jansen, who’s 13 game scoreless streak came to an end when Justin Upton hit a ninth inning solo homerun to tie the game at two. Greinke was left with a no decision after the late home run.

The game was sent to extra innings at Dodger Stadium for the first time since May 11. The Dodgers played 10 extra-inning games in their first 39 games of the season and only one in their last 68 games before Wednesday.

Matt Kemp saved the win for his club in the tenth with a walk off single, the ninth career walk off hit for Kemp. Justin Turner was inserted into the game as a pinch hitter for JP Howell to lead off the tenth inning and singled. Turner moved to second on a walk pitch, and was able to score the winning run off the Kemp single.

With trade rumors swirling, Kemp is playing his best ball of the year, as he is now 6-8 with six RBI’s and four runs in his past two games. He began things in the second inning by slamming his third homer in two nights, a solo shot that tied the game at one a piece. Kemp was 3-4 with two runs scored and two RBI on the night.

Kemp was also driven in by Juan Uribe in the eighth inning for the go ahead 2-1 lead. Despite the shortstop making a diving stop on the ball from Uribe, Kemp took two bases on the infield single for the second time in the game. Uribe had two hits in his four plate appearances.

The Dodgers win their fifth game in a row, holding a 2 ½ game lead over the Giants for first in the NL West. Los Angeles will look to complete their second consecutive series sweep tomorrow with Clayton Kershaw on the bump.

VAVEL Logo
About the author