Los Angeles Dodgers @ San Francisco Giants (game 2)

The second match of this three game series had the marquee pitching matchip: Clayton Kershaw for the Dodgers against Johnny Cueto for the Giants.

With no sign of rain, the game started on time and progressed without interruption.  However, Cueto struggled through 3 2/3 innings, having to throw 101 pitches before being removed having given up 4 runs.  The big inning was all caused by an errant throw from the shortstop Tomlinson to third baseman Calixte which was an attempt to throw out the lead runner.  The ball got there in plenty of time, but was slightly off-target, and so the tag wasn't made - if it had been, Los Angeles would have had a runner on first base with 2 out instead of runners on the corners with 1 out.

Meanwhile the Giants clawed their way back into the game one run at a time, missing multiple opportunities for big innings, not least in the 9th inning with the bases loaded and one out with Buster Posey at the plate, who got to a full count against the Dodgers' closer Kenley Jansen, but struck out, as did Nick Hundley to end the game, leaving the Dodgers as 5-3 winners and clinching themselves a play-off berth.

I was sitting in a row in front of a couple of very loud Australians, who weren't averse to swearing either.  It was a relief whenever they went to buy more food and drink.

Meanwhile, I had a great chat with the two gentlemen sitting next to me, John and Steven.  The former is from the Bay Area, and the latter from Boston.  We talked about the game, and our favourite stadia.

A couple of special guests were present for the game tonight.

Firstly, Takuma Sato, the former Formula 1 driver and now IndyCar driver who won the Indianapolis 500 this year.

Secondly, a man who always gets a huge cheer, Joe Montana, former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, who led the 49ers to multiple Super Bowl championships in the 1980s.