The Dodgers took another from the Mets last night, winning their second straight and 10 of their last 11.
The leadoff spot was handed to Juan Pierre after Rafael Furcal was scratched from the lineup for the first time this season for stiffness in his lower back. Furcal is an imporant asset to the lineup but his loss didn’t stop the Dodger offense from producing enough runs for the win.
The Dodgers were down by three going into the bottom of the second, but Juan Pierre delievered an RBI single to score Blake DeWitt to make it 3-1. The Mets scored another in the third but the Dodgers answered back by scoring two more with a 2-RBI single by DeWitt. DeWitt also had an inside the park homerun in the fifth, his second of the Majors in two games, to give the Dodgers the lead. DeWitt ended up 3 for 4 with 4 RBI and 3 runs scored on the night.
Starter Hiroki Kuroda didn’t make it out of the fourth as he gave up eight hits with four runs (two earned). Hong Chih-Kuo came in to relieve Kuroda and was perfect for 3 2/3 innings. Kuo gave up no hits while fanning eight of the thirteen batters he faced, which is a career high for him. The win is just Kuo’s fourth of his career, three coming from beating the Mets. Jonathan Broxton pitched an inning to earn the hold and Saito earned his fifth save of the season.
The Dodgers will go for the sweep today at 12:10. Brad Penny will go for his sixth win, he is 3-0 lifetime against the Mets at Dodger Stadium. The Mets have John Maine starting, who is 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA. Maine is 0-3 lifetime against the Dodgers.
