Matt Carpenter's two-run homer in the top of the 8th tied the game for the St. Louis Cardinals, but it would be Matt Kemp's lead off homer down the first base line in the bottom of the inning that would give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 3-2 win and even their series at a game a piece.
Zack Greinke took the ball to the mound in game two of the NLDS, a day after the Dodgers blew a five run lead in a seven run seventh inning for the Cardinals, eventually losing the game 10-9. Greinke struck out two batters through his first three innings, walking one. Greinke gave up a double in the fifth inning with one out, but struck out the next two batters he faced to get out of the inning and keep his lead. Greinke worked through seven innings, striking out a total of seven batters, walking two, and holding the Cardinals scoreless.
J.P. Howell came into the game in relief for the ace, giving up a single and a two run home run to Carpenter, breaking Greinke’s scoreless effort. Dodgers fans began having flashbacks of Friday’s comeback win by St. Louis. Brandon League cleaned up the jam from Howell, getting out the eighth inning to keep the game tied at two and pick up the win.
A.J. Ellis continued his hot play from game one with a lead-off double in the third inning. Ellis finished the game on Friday with four hits, two RBI’s, and three runs scored. Greinke also came into the game with a huge advantage at the plate over his counterpart and Cardinals starter Lance Lynn. Greinke singled in his first at bat, helping his own cause by moving Ellis to third base with no outs. Dee Gordon grounded out, but gave Los Angeles the 1-0 lead while moving Greinke to second base. Adrian Gonzalez finished the season as the National League leader in RBI’s, and drove in his third RBI of the series with a single in the third inning that drove in Greinke from second base. Greinke singled in the fifth inning for his second hit in as many at bats, as hustled to third base on a single from Gordon. Greinke’s head first slide may have had manager Don Mattingly holding his breath, but the fans at Dodger Stadium erupted in applause. Puig followed with his third strike out of the game. Gonzalez would fly out to end the threat. Greinke’s third at bat came in the sixth with the bases loaded, but a ground out ended the sixth inning and kept the score 2-0 in favor of the Dodgers.
Matt Kemp gave the Dodgers their lead back in the bottom of the eighth inning with a lead-off home run, a solo shot to left field. Miguel Rojas, who replaced Hanley Ramirez at short stop, reached base on a fielding error by Cardinals pitcher Pat Neshek. Juan Uribe grounded into a fielder’s choice, bringing up Ellis with two outs. Ellis grounded out to end the inning.
Kenley Jansen entered the game in the ninth inning, striking out two Cardinals on the way to his first postseason save.
The series will shift to St. Louis for game three on Monday. Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his first start since September 8th after spending some time on the injured list with a sore shoulder.