Beautiful moment in Dodger Stadium last night

With the Giants clinging to a 2-l lead over the Dodgers in the top of the fifth, S.F. starter Madison Bumgarner comes to bat with no outs and a runner on first. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is on the mound. Both pitchers are dialed-in and having wonderful outings.

The situation calls for a sac bunt to put baserunner Joaquin Arias in scoring position. Only Bumgarner happens to be one of the best hitting pitchers in the N.L. and could just as easily jack one into the seats. So Kershaw has to approach Bumgarner with as much caution as he would any position player. Batter, pitcher, teammates, managers and fans know just about any outcome is possible.

First pitch, Bumgarner shows bunt but the fastball misses. Ball one. Second pitch, Bumgarner swings for the fences but misses another fastball. Third pitch, Bumgarner fouls a bunt attempt -- third fastball. Fourth pitch is a curveball in the dirt. 2-2 count. On the fifth pitch Kershaw gets Bumgarner to swing and miss at a final fastball. Kershaw wins the battle.

It was a classic baseball moment between two superstars and part of a tradition over one hundred years old. And one that could never happen in the American League. I don't care what anyone says. DH baseball just isn't the same. If you love the game you have to love the drama of this fifth inning at-bat. If you love the game you have to loathe the DH.