Dem Bums – A Dodgers Blog

Jon Garland helped the Dodgers secure a 6-2 win over the Pirates on Monday, giving them a four game lead in the West.

Garland scattered a run in each the fourth and fifth innings, but otherwise proved solid as went six innings to remain unbeaten as a Dodger. Kuo, Sherrill, and Broxton then combined for three perfect innings, each with one strikeout.

The offense was keyed by Orlando Hudson, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and Andre Ethier, who jacked a two-run homerun in the fifth for his career-high 29th of the season. Martin and Blake also each had two hits apiece.

The Dodgers have now cut their magic numer to clinch to 11. Randy Wolf will take on Zach Duke. Wolf skipped his previous start but is still unbeaten in his last five, while Duke has struggled of late, and is 1-3 with a 7.53 ERA in six career starts against the Dodgers.