The San Francisco Giants didn't make up any ground during Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. They probably didn't pop any champagne, or don any new hats; but they eliminated their arch rivals from the playoffs in their house, and it doesn't get much sweeter than that.
Give credit to the Dodgers for a valiant effort this season. They made some big changes and should be a difficult team to beat next season. Though manager Don Mattingly could be to to blame for their late collapse this year, making some critical errors in Tuesday's game alone.
Mattingly decided to intentionally walk Angel Pagan in fifth to get to Marco Scutaro, who just so happened to be on a 19-game hitting streak. Scutaro preceded to hit an RBI double, eventually proving to be the deciding run of the Dodgers season. Why pass over a cold Pagan (.125, 3-24 last seven days) for a hot Scutaro (.333, 8-24)?
Dee Gordon came in as a pinch hitter for Andre Either with one out in the bottom of the ninth, though Mattingly doesn't send the runner as Bobby Abreu pops out. Mattingly then decides to gamble his last out of season with a stolen base, with Gordon barely making it.
The season is long but can sometimes come down to the little things in the end. Unfortunately that was the case for Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
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