The Dodgers took the first two games of the series for the win before falling on Sunday as they remain three games up in the West with three weeks left of the season.
Hiroki Kuroda posted eight solid innings on Friday, holding the Giants to two runs on three hits while striking out five. He was backed by three RBIs each by Casey Blake and James Loney, and was given a giant cushion when the offense put up five runs in the seventh inning. Ethier, Kemp, Loney, Blake, and Martin all had multi- hit games.
The offense continued to stay hot on Saturday, posting nine runs, scoring in all but three innings. Russell Martin hit a three-run shot in a four-run fourth inning, and James Loney also drove a two-run shot in the ninth. Vincente Padilla allowed one run (unearned) in a three-hit, six-inning win.
The Dodgers hopes at a sweep were halted by former Dodger Brad Penny, holding the Dodgers to two runs through seven innings. Russell Martin went yard for the second day in a row for the Dodgers’ only two runs, in the seventh inning. The Dodgers were held to just five hits, compared to the Giants’ 15. Chad Billingsley took the loss in this one, giving up three runs on eight hits before leaving after four innings. Jeff Weaver also struggled in relief, tossing a scoreless fifth inning but giving up four in the sixth.
The Dodgers have a chance to pick up some more ground on the Rockies, hosting the MLB-worst Pirates this week. Jon Garland looks to remain unbeaten as a Dodger, taking on Daniel McCutchen, is 0-1 and is making just his third big league start.
