The Dodgers lost to the Reds on Friday but came back for a big win Saturday and extra-inning win on Sunday to push their lead to six games in the NL West.
Chad Billingsley took the loss on Friday, allowing four runs on seven hits with four walks. He allowed three runs before coming on for the sixth and was lifted after giving up a leadoff solo homerun to Johnny Gomes. Homer Bailey was outstanding for the Reds, shutting out the Dodgers for eight innings while fanning seven. James Loney helped the Dodgers avoid a shutout with a leadoff solo homerun in the ninth. Mark Loretta also got on with a pinch hit in the ninth and scored the Dodgers’ second run.
The offense heated up on Saturday for 11 runs, keyed by a six-run seventh inning. Manny Ramirez got the offense going with a two-run homerun in the first inning. They rallied for two more in the second and after the Reds tied it up in the third, Rafael Furcal drove a go-ahead solo homerun in the fifth. In the seventh the Dodgers posted six runs, including a Juan Pierre two-RBI single and a three-run shot by Matt Kemp, his 20th of the year.
Charlie Hager struggled with his command on the mound, shutting out the Reds for the first two innings but running into trouble in the third. He gave up leadoff solo homerun followed by another two-run shot, and left with one out and ended up being tagged for four total runs. Jeff Weaver came on in relief after more than a week’s rest from the mound, but he held the Reds to 3 1/3 scorless innings as the offense put the Dodgers back in the game. Weaver picked up his sixth win, with Belisario and Mota also combining for three innings.
The Dodgers won the rubber match on Sunday in 12 innings by a score of 3-2.
Clayton Kershaw had another quality start, with his only mistake being a homerun given up in the second to Darnell McDonald. Otherwise, Kershaw allowed just three other hits while striking out 11 in his seven innings. Kershaw wasn’t able to secure the win, though, picking up the no-decision. Sherrill, Troncoso, Kuo, McDonald, and Broxton all tossed a scoreless inning apiece, with McDonald picking up the win and Broxton getting the save after walking two batters in the bottom of the 12th, but recording all three outs as K’s.
Matt Kemp got the Dodgers on board in the fifth with a solo homerun. Kershaw also knocked in a run that inning to score Casey Blake. Those were the only two runs that the Dodgers could produce off Bronson Arroyo. The Dodgers then loaded the bases in the 12th, and Kemp again came through with a deep sacrifice fly to center to plate Manny Ramirez for the go-ahead run.
The Dodgers also scored in another way on Sunday, acquiring infielder Ronnie Belliard from the Nationals for two minor leaguers. Belliard will join the team today, and a roster move will be announced to make room for him on the team. The Dodgers host the Diamondbacks tonight, with Randy Wolf taking on Doug Davis. Wolf is looking for his fifth straight win and is 2-0 against the Dbacks this year while Davis is 7-11 this season.
