NLCS Game 1: Miguel Montero’s grand slam thwarts Dodgers’ comeback.

Adrian Gonzalez slow

Cubs catcher David Ross tags out Adrian Gonzalez (23) as Gonzalez attempts to score from second base on a Kenta Maeda single in the second inning of the Cubs’ 8-4 win in Game 1 of the NLCS. (Associated Press photo)

CHICAGO — Joe Blanton hung an 0-2 slider to Miguel Montero with the bases loaded in the eighth inning and Montero made the Dodgers pay. His grand slam broke open a 3-3 tie and the Dodgers ultimately lost Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, 8-4. The box score is here. The photo gallery is here.

The Cubs’ vaunted defense set the tone early in a close game.

What’s the point of pain if the rest of us can’t find delight in the suffering of others, asks columnist Jeff Miller.

Clayton Kershaw will take the ball Sunday for the third time in six days, which he’s never done before. Some notes on that, Tommy Lasorda’s health, and the new-look NLCS roster can be found here.

Here’s what they were saying after the game:

Continue reading “NLCS Game 1: Miguel Montero’s grand slam thwarts Dodgers’ comeback.” »

NLCS umpires, Game 1 assignments announced.

Gary Cederstrom, a 23-year Major League Umpire, is the crew chief for the six-man National League Championship Series umpire crew, revealed Friday.

The 2016 NLCS will be the 19th career Postseason assignment for Cederstrom, who will be joined by Ted Barrett, Eric Cooper, Angel Hernandez, Alfonso Marquez and Paul Nauert in Games One and Two.

Barrett, Cooper and Bill Welke, who will serve as the Replay Official for NLCS Games One and Two, worked this year’s AL Wild Card Game with Cederstrom.  Welke will be assisted by Gibson at Replay and, starting with Game Three, will become a part of the on-field crew, while Nauert will shift to Replay duties, assisted by Gibson.

The NLCS, which is set to start tomorrow night on FS1, will have the Chicago Cubs meet the Los Angeles Dodgers. Games 1 (Saturday) and 2 (Sunday) are in Chicago, followed by Games 3 (Tuesday) and 4 (Wednesday) in Los Angeles. Each game begins at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

Here are the assignments for Game 1:

Continue reading “NLCS umpires, Game 1 assignments announced.” »

NLDS Game 4: Dodgers rally past Washington Nationals to force a Game 5.

Yasiel Puig

Yasiel Puig pleads with home plate umpire Tom Hallion after he is called out on a disputed check swing in the seventh inning of the Dodgers’ 6-5 win on Tuesday. (John McCoy/Staff photographer)

An eighth-inning rally washed over a hauntingly familiar seventh-inning collapse in the Dodgers’ 6-5 win over the Washington Nationals. The box score is here. The photo gallery is here.

Joe Blanton‘s long journey put him in the spotlight again, writes columnist Mark Whicker.

Game 5 is at 5 p.m. Thursday in Washington D.C. The winner plays the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series. Justin Turner guaranteed a victory, writes columnist Jeff Miller.

A 2 p.m. start time, revealed on short notice, meant a smaller crowd and cheaper tickets.

Andre Ethier came through with a big pinch hit.

 

NLDS Game 3: Washington Nationals put Dodgers’ season on the brink.

Josh Reddick catch

Dodgers right fielder Josh Reddick misses a catch at the wall during the ninth inning of the Washington Nationals’ 8-3 win in Game 3 of their National League Division Series. (Stephen Carr/Staff photographer)

LOS ANGELES >> The Dodgers’ season might be over tomorrow, as the Washington Nationals pulled away late to win Game 3 of the best-of-five National League Division Series 8-3. The box score is here. The photo gallery is here.

The Dodgers fell short against a left-handed pitcher again, writes columnist Mark Whicker.

Carlos Ruiz delivered a vintage home run. (“The truth is,” he would say later in Spanish, “I enjoyed it in the moment because I was able to get the team closer since we were down at that moment.”)

The Game 4 starters for both teams are undecided; the Dodgers must choose between Clayton Kershaw and Julio UriasColumnist Jeff Miller thinks it’s an easy choice.

Here’s what they were saying after the game:
Continue reading “NLDS Game 3: Washington Nationals put Dodgers’ season on the brink.” »

NLDS Game 2: Dodgers’ runners in scoring position amount to a whole hill of beans.

Andrew Toles during BP today. Note the wool cap. It's cold. #Dodgers #Nationals #baseball

A photo posted by J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) on


WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Dodgers squandered one opportunity after another in their 5-2 loss to the Washington Nationals in Game 2 of their National League Division Series. The box score is here.

The Dodgers’ shortcomings against left-handed pitchers — including Game 3 starter Gio Gonzalez — were largely the result of right-handed hitters failing to perform as expected.

Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill put the loss on himself, even though only one mistake might have cost him the game.