Dodgers Defeat Rangers 10-2: Kershaw K’s 11, Game Notes & Scouting Takeaways
By Joe Piazza
Kershaw K’s 11, Utley and Segedin go deep en route to the Dodgers’ 10-2 victory over the Rangers on Thursday.
This is the first of a six-part scouting series. In addition to this Dodgers game, I will be covering the following games: CWS@OAK (3/24), CLE@CWS (3/25), CIN@SEA (3/26), COL@TEX (3/27) and LAD@SEA (3/19). Follow me on Twitter @JoePiazza_ for live game updates!
The Dodgers wasted no time Thursday evening. They jumped to an early lead on a leadoff single by Logan Forsythe and a Chase Utley home run. By the time the Rangers had their first chance to bat, they were already down by two runs. Fast-forward to the bottom of the fourth inning, and the Dodgers had extended their lead to 7-0.
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was in mid-season form, striking out 11 batters, walking one and allowing just two hits. Rangers starter Dillon Gee wasn’t able to tame the Dodgers lineup, as he gave up nine hits and seven runs (four earned) in 3.1 innings of work. He struck out just two batters and almost exclusively induced hard contact. He wasn’t missing bats, and the Dodgers weren’t missing opportunities.
After tacking on three more runs in the eighth inning, including a home run by Rob Segedin, the Dodgers took the field in the bottom of the ninth with Brandon Morrow on the mound and a 10-run lead. A runner reached base on an error, the next guy grounded out on a fielder’s choice and Morrow was pulled. In came Joe Broussard with one on and one out, who proceeded to surrender a long home run to Drew Robinson on the first pitch. Broussard followed that up with a strikeout and fly out, and the game was in the books. Dodgers 10, Rangers 2.