The Dodgers were down 4-1 and incredibly close to staying in second place heading into the ninth inning on Sunday, but a five-run rally gave them a come from behind win to take the series and even them up with the Dbacks in the division.
The Dodgers only managed one run off Dbacks’ starter Brandon Webb, and it came in the seventh after being down 4-0. Then the ninth inning came…the offense attacked for five runs on six hits against Brandon Lyon, which equals the number of hits the offense had for the previous eight innings combined. Nomar led off the rally with a double and moved to third on James Loney’s single, one of three Loney hits for the night for his 26th multi-hit game of the season. Andruw Jones hit a potential double-play grounder, but a misplay spared the Dodgers and out while allowing Nomar to score. Andy LaRoche then pinch-hit with two outs and singled Loney home. Pinch runner Pablo Ozuna, recently signed from the White Sox, scored the tying run when Matt Kemp hit a two-out double to left after a tough eight-pitch at-bat which started off with a 1-2 count. Andre Ethier then tripled Kemp home for the go-ahead run before Ethier scored off Russell Martin’s RBI-single, an insurance run that would be needed come the bottom half.
Derek Lowe gave up four runs on seven hits through 5 1/3, but was lucky enough to have the offense rally in the ninth to save him from the loss. He gave Arizona three runs in the first and another in the sixth before being pulled for Brian Falkenborg to finish off the inning. Ramon Troncoso pitched two nearly perfect innings for his first MLB victory. Troncoso struck out five of the seven batters he faced. Temporary closer Jonathan Broxton got the save, but barely, as he gave up a run to make it a one-run game.
The Dodgers have a chance to steal sole possession of first place tonight, especially with Arizona playing the first-place Cubs. Eric Stults makes the start with his 2.67 ERA, and faces the Rockies, the team with whom he struck out a career-high nine batters last August. He will face Kip Wells, making his first start since April 28 after a long trip to the DL.
