The Dodgers have now played in 97 games this season, but their center fielder, Matt Kemp, has missed 35 of them with injuries to injuries with his hamstring, shoulder, and now possibly his ankle. But wait, didn't Kemp just return from the Disabled List on Sunday?
It goes like this. With the Dodgers winning 9-2 in the ninth inning, Matt Kemp was at third base with bases loaded and two outs. A grounder to first base appeared to end the inning and Kemp was pretty much watching the play unfold, until Adam LaRoche decided to throw to home for the force out.
Kemp then rushed the last few steps to get home, was thrown out and in the process stepped on Kurt Suzuki's foot. The awkward landing rolled his ankle in one of those plays that you watch over and over, hoping that it will not look as bad as the time before, when in reality it looks worse each time.
Steve Lyons and Eric Collins had nothing to offer on the broadcast other than, "Matt Kemp landed awkwardly at home plate." The broadcasters fell silent for five seconds as we were tortured with images of Kemp on the ground, screaming out in pain leading into the commercial break.
Kemp was playing a fantastic game, the best of his injury-plagued season in fact. He went 3-4 with a home run, double, single, a walk and three RBI. He has just two other three-hit games this season, with one RBI combined from them.
The superstar center fielder has not impressed much this season, but Sunday's return gave fans a hopeful feeling that he may be "back." After the game it was announced he does not need X-rays, and he should avoid the DL, but no timetable for return has been announced yet.
At least the Dodgers won the game 9-2, keeping their 0.5 game deficit in the NL West.
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Immediately following the play at the plate Twitter exploded in a mass of anger, sadness, frustration and, of course, sarcasm. This brings us to a special "Matt Kemp's Injury" edition of:
Tweets From #Dodgers Nation
Literally, ten minutes before the injury fans were celebrating his fantastic 3-4 return
Matt Kemp is back baby! #BeastMode #Dodgers — Curt Dover (@CurtisDover) July 21, 2013
First, there was disbelief.
Please tell me Kemp did not just get hurt again trying to score in a 9-2 game #Dodgers — Max Everett (@texmax) July 21, 2013
Second, sad faces everywhere.
Matt Kemp limping. Please NO! #DODGERS — DODGERS LAKERS NEWS (@DodgersLakers) July 21, 2013
Oh my gosh, Matt Kemp :o #Dodgers — Triple Threat (@LA_TripleThreat) July 21, 2013
There was too much sadness going around, so it was time get angry at Matt Kemp.
Hey #Matt Kemp !!! RUN!!!' #dodgers — Tim Ramirez (@timothyram) July 21, 2013
Of course Matt Kemp gets injured for not hustling. Moron #Dodgers — Jesse Reynoso (@JesRey7) July 21, 2013
Of course we could just blame Don Mattingly for this. But Andrew, you forgot the ever-popular #FireMattingly hashtag!
Honestly, why was Kemp even still in the game? #Dodgers — Andrew (@AndrewFDotExe) July 21, 2013
I can get on the "Blame Brandon League" train. If he had just struck out to end the inning (like he was supposed to!) instead of walking, this would have never happened!
OMG Matt Kemp. Im blaming Brandon League. #Dodgers — JimmyJack (@iamjimmyjack) July 21, 2013
This was posted in yesterday's game recap, and is obviously the cause for his injury. Curse you, @ESPNMag!
Matt Kemp set to return to action tomorrow. Should be ready for the DL again by Tuesday. — ESPN The Magazine (@ESPNMag) July 21, 2013
