The Los Angeles Dodgers completed a three-game sweep over the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday night behind a 12-strikeout performance by Scott Kazmir, who went six strong innings while allowing one just run.
However, Kazmir very well could have been charged with two runs if not for a collective defensive effort by the Dodgers on a ball hit to center field by Cincinnati Reds right fielder Jay Bruce in the fourth inning.
After Brandon Phillips reached on a single with one out, Bruce drove a ball over Joc Pederson’s head. Pederson raced back and leaped in effort to make a miraculous grab but could not make the catch and crashed into the fence.
“It definitely didn’t feel good hitting the wall, but I did what I could to try and catch it. When I got up, my leg hurt a little bit but I shook it off, and I was able to finish the game,” Pederson later said. “I think I should’ve caught it. I thought I had a pretty good chance to catch it.”
The ball ricocheted off fence and Howie Kendrick, backing the play up from left field, hit cutoff man Chase Utley in shallow center. Phllips was off on the pitch and easily scored from first base to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.
Bruce, however, was thrown out at home plate on his attempt at an inside-the-park home run. The Dodgers quickly erased their deficit as they countered in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run single by Pederson, who admitted his leg was still “a little sore” during the at-bat.
Manager Dave Roberts said there was initial concern following Pederson’s hard impact with the fence. “[Joc] went after it pretty good. When you see your center fielder go down in angst, you hold your breath,” Roberts said.
“Joc is playing so well, and playing a premium position you get beat up a little bit out there.” Not to be overlooked, Roberts applauded Kendrick for his hustle and starting the picturesque relay.
“For Howie to be there backing it up to hit the cutoff man, Chase to make a strong throw, and Yasi to catch it and make the tag, that’s how you want it to be,” Roberts said. “That was a big out. Huge.”
Kazmir also showed his appreciation for his defense’s efforts, which might have ignited the lefty, as he went on to throw two more scoreless frames in the 3-1 victory.
“That was huge,” Kazmir said. “It almost brought the momentum back on our side.”
