Dem Bums - A Dodgers Blog

The Dodger offense came back after being held to one run on Friday to explode for 10 runs on nine hits to take the second game of the set from the Giants.

The offense was keyed by a five-run third inning, including Manny’s first homerun of the night, a three-run shot. Matt Kemp then a added a two-run homerun that same inning. The Dodgers then loaded the bases in the seventh and walked in two runs, with RBI for Angel Berroa and Delwyn Young with the walks. They then added three insurance runs in the eighth, including Manny’s second homerun of the night to total 5 RBI. Despite the 10-run attack, the Dodgers failed to rally with RISP after getting 11 walks and leaving 22 men on base for the night.

 Hiroki Kuroda chipped in with two hits at the plate, but struggled on the mound in his four-plus innings, and was tagged for three runs on eight hits before being pulled after giving up a leadoff double in the fifth. Chan Ho Park then came in but was no relief for the Dodgers, allowing two more runs to score without recording an out. Beimel, Saito, Wade, and Broxton then finished the game, with Broxton being tagged for two unearned runs in the ninth and Saito taking the win.

The Dodgers have lost just four times in their past 20 games, which gives them the MLB lead for the best record in that span. Last night’s win also clinched at least a .500 season for the boys. Derek Lowe will make the start in today’s rubber match and will face Matt Cain. Lowe is 4-0 in his last four decisions while Cain is 0-5 lifetime against the Dodgers, with two of the losses coming this year.

The Dodgers blew a five-run lead to send the game to extras, but Jeff Kent drove a solo shot in the top of the 11th to lead the Dodgers to the win to even the series.

The offense got two in the first off Russell Martin’s two-run shot with Delwyn Young on base. They then scored one run in the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th innings to make it 6-1. Martin ended up 3 for 5 with 3 runs and 3 RBI, Jeff Kent 2 for 4 with 2 BB’s and 2 RBI, James Loney 2 for 6, and leadoff man Matt Kemp 1 for 4 with 2 BB’s and an RBI. Kent’s one-out homerun with a 3-2 count put the Dodgers up 7-6 and Saito held the bottom half to give the Dodgers the win.

Clayton Kershaw’s eighth start in the big leagues failed again to give him his first win as he pitched in his home state. He was tagged for three runs on six hits through 5 2/3. Kershaw left in the sixth allowing just one runner to touch home, but he was tagged for two more runs when Brian Falkenborg came in and gave up a three-run shot to Ty Wigginton. Hong-Chih Kuo came in to escape the inning but Jonathan Broxton allowed Carlos Lee to get a 2-RBI double in the seventh to tie the game. Joe Beimel and Chan Ho Park then kept the A’s scoreless until Saito came in for the bottom half of the 11th with a one-run lead courtesy Jeff Kent, and pitched a 1-2-3 inning to give the Dodgers the win and put them 2 1/2 above the Dbacks.

Hiroki Kuroda will get his first start tonight after spending three weeks on the DL. The bullpen was used heavily last night so the Dodgers will need some innings from Kuroda at the very least. He will face Runelvys Hernandez, who is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA this season.

These are the kind of series you like to see.  A bad team comes into town, and the Dodgers took care of business and they’re back in first place a game ahead of the Padres.

On Friday, the Dodgers gave Bret Tomko a nice cushion by putting up seven runs through the first four innings.  Bret Tomko threw five shutout innings and improved to 6-6 while Jae Seo was knocked around in mopup time.  Jeff Kent homered and drove in three runs while the first three batters in the order (Rafael Furcal, Cesar Izturis and Nomar Garicapara) all scored twice in the 10-4 win.

Yesterday, Aaron Sele and three relievers combined for a seven hit shutout.  He improved to 4-2 on the season and struck out four in six innings.  Andre Ethier had two hits and four RBIs in the 7-0 win.

Today’s game was the closest of three but outside of the first few innings, the Dodgers had the lead for most of the game.  Rafael Furcal and Ramon Martinez drove in two runs and Nomar Garciapara and Ethier scored twice.  Brad Penny improved to an impressive 8-2.  Takashi Saito closed out the game and he picked up his fifth save of the season.

Next up is a three game series in Minnesota against the Twins.  The Twins looked horrible in the first couple of months, but they’ve really turned it on in June.  They’re riding a four game winning streak like we are and they’ve been very good (24-10) at home so the Dodgers have their work cut out for them. 

The skid continues.  I guess I shouldn’t be too upset because I never really thought (at least deep down)they’d contend.  The Mariners came to a town, and a mediocre team made us look bad.

Brad Penny was knocked around on Tuesday.  Five runs on ten hits through six innings.  Rafael Furcal had two hits and two runs.

Danys Baez was the culprit on Wednesday.  He came in with a one run lead and proceeded to give up four runs on six hits.  Jon Broxton didn’t too much better because he gave up two runs without getting anyone out.  Chad Billingsley had a nice start go to waste and Olmedo Saenz drove in two runs.

The Dodgers finally got back on track yesterday.  Derek Lowe had a really nice start and he gave up two runs on seven hits in the complete game.  He improved to 6-3 on the season.  Rafael Furcal and Russ Martin both drove in two runs in the 4-2 win.

The Pirates come to town for three so hopefully we can get back on track against a bad team.  Right now we’re one game back of the Padres, but only a game and a half in front of last place.  The NL West should be a very interesting division this year.