The Dodgers rallied back from an early five-run deficit to take the win, courtesy of a walkoff homerun by Nomar.
The Dodgers were down by four before getting any at-bats. They started their comeback with a run in the first followed by two in the third off Manny’s homerun. Andre Ethier then drove a solo shot in the fourth to make it 4-6. The Dodgers were then held scoreless until the eighth until Russell Martin triggered a rally with a single, his third hit of the night. A few batters latter, Jeff Kent then tied it with a two-RBI double; he ended up 4 for 5 on the night. In the ninth and in just his second game back, Nomar led off with a solo homerun for the walk-off win. The walk-off homerun is surprisingly the Dodgers first since April of 2007.
Brad Penny lasted just three innings, his shortest outing in almost two years. He was tagged for four runs in the first inning, two two-run homeruns, both with two outs. He then surrendered another two-run homerun in the second and left after three after six runs on six hits while raising his ERA above 6. The bullpen then combined for six shutout innings, with only one hit and eight combined K’s by Jason Johnson, Joe Beimel, Chan Ho Park, and Broxton. Broxton threw a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikouts for the save.
The Dodgers are now 2 games over .500 and are tied atop the division. They can complete the series sweep tonight with Hiroki Kuroda taking the hill. Kuroda’s has had two straight quality outings and goes for his seventh win. He will face Brett Myers, who is 5-9 with a 5.09 ERA, and is 3-1 in nine career starts against the Dodgers.
