Dodgers Win Extra Innings Affair In Colorado

Brandon League blows the save, gets bailed out in extras

The Dodgers scored five runs and got a strong start out of Clayton Kershaw, but still managed to make things interesting as Brandon League blew a two run lead in the bottom of the ninth in Friday's 7-5 victory in Colorado.

Kershaw lasted seven innings allowing eight hits, three earned runs, and two walks with five strikeouts. Not a stellar outing, but he received five runs of support to put himself in position as the winning pitcher of record when he was removed.

Kershaw's support came in the third inning from a Juan Uribe double that scored Luis Cruz, and RBI singles from Mark Ellis and Adrian Gonzalez.

In the fourth inning Scott Van Slyke hit a lead-off double, and with two outs the Rockies gave an intentional pass to Juan Uribe in order to face Clayton Kershaw.

The strategy did not pay off as he smacked a double to the deepest part of left center field scoring two and giving himself a 5-2 lead. In 29 at bats Kershaw is sporting a .240 batting average.

If watching the Dodgers play in Colorado every year has proved anything, it's that a two-run lead is never safe.

In the bottom of the ninth Brandon League gave up a two-run jack to Todd Helton, blowing the save and sending the game into extra innings. It was his third blown save this year.

In the 10th inning with runners on first and third and one out Luis Cruz hit a liner off pitcher, Rafael Betancourt's, foot. Carl Crawford, who was brought in to run for Ramon Hernandez, scored on the deflection.

Juan Uribe then singled to center field scoring Skip Schumaker for an insurance run, making it 7-5, leading to the Dodgers' series opener win in Colorado. The win was credited to Brandon League, and Ronald Belisario earned the save.

The win was also the Dodgers first extra inning victory of the season with a 1-2 record.

Juan Uribe had two RBIs on Friday, and has become an important piece to the Dodgers team. His 3-year, $21 million contract will never be justified, but for being a player that seemed to be waiting to get cut last season it's nice to see some production.

It is Uribe's first year as a Dodger with a positive WAR at 1.1, as of Friday. That actually ranks fifth on the team.

On Saturday the Dodgers play game two against the Rockies sending Zach Greinke to face Jhoulys Chacin.
 

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