The Dodgers will have to play defense long after winning Game 2 of the NLDS, as Chase Utley will be the topic of conversation after taking out Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada to break up a double play attempt, ultimately causing the infielder to suffer a fractured right fibula. Utley never touched second base, but because the neighborhood play was not enforced and the umpires used replay review on a force play, Utley was awarded second base. He came around to score on Adrian Gonzalez’s tie-breaking two-run double. Justin Turner tacked on with a double to plate Gonzalez.
Dodgers starter Zack Greinke allowed two runs on five hits while striking out eight and issuing zero walks. Both runs scored on second-inning solo home runs by Yoenis Cespedes and Michael Conforto. Chris Hatcher struck out two in a perfect eighth inning, and Kenley Jansen worked around a one-out walk of Curtis Granderson to close out the 5-2 victory.
Mets starter Noah Syndergaard allowed a run on an Andre Ethier RBI double in the fourth, then was on the hook for two of the four runs that scored in the fateful seventh inning. Overall, he gave up three runs on five hits and four walks with nine strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
Utley’s slide was a huge momentum swing for the Dodgers, as Utley could have reasonably been called for interference, which would have resulted in batter-runner Howie Kendrick being ruled out as well, ending the seventh inning with the Dodgers trailing 2-1. The Mets will have to play the rest of the post-season without a solid defensive shortstop in Tejada. Wilmer Flores will handle the position the rest of the way.
The two teams will enjoy an off day on Sunday. NLDS Game 3 will be played on Monday with Brett Anderson starting for the Dodgers at Citi Field against Mets right-hander Matt Harvey.
