In what could be his last game as a Dodger, as the second home run of the second inning pinged off the right-field foul pole, right-hander Zack Greinke thought he might have cost his team the game, maybe even the series.

“The way things were going, it was like maybe it’s too late. Two runs could be too late,” Greinke said.

Greinke sputtered in the second inning, when he allowed solo home runs to Yoenis Cespedes and Michael Conforto, but that was the only damage inflicted in seven innings in the Dodgers 5-2 win. He gave up five hits, struck out eight and earned the win.

Greinke delivered another crucial start for the Dodgers. Was it also his last?


Greinke has become one of the most dependable pitchers in the National League since he joined the Dodgers in 2013. His postseason earned-run average is 2.06.

This season, he is a Cy Young candidate. He posted a 1.66 ERA, the best in the majors, and won 19 games.

He also has a player option after the season ends, and if he chooses to exercise it, he would command a lucrative contract. The Dodgers have the biggest payroll in baseball history, but are they willing to commit to a long-term deal with a 31-year-old?

Greinke said that the thought did not cross his mind as he was walking off the field after the seventh inning.


“Maybe in a regular season game when your team’s not going to make the playoffs, you might think that,” Greinke said. “But a playoff game you’re just trying to win the game and not thinking about other things like that.”

Of course, Dodgers fans can see Greinke again if the Dodgers win the series. If the series goes five games, and Clayton Kershaw pitches on three days’ rest in Game 4, Greinke would be the Game 5 starter.

Greinke has thrived in those situations.

“This was definitely a must-win, and we felt good about it,” third baseman Justin Turner said. “With Zack on the mound, we felt really good about it.”


They’d be happy to see him there again.

Follow Zach Helfand on Twitter @zhelfand