The Arizona Diamondbacks have got to be kicking themselves for this one.
The DBacks could have arguably swept this 3-game set against the Dodgers, but instead the Dodgers took 2 of 3 to fall back into a tie atop the NL West. And they got the win today by doing something I don't think anybody thought they had in them - a huge 9th inning rally.
It was pretty amazing, but after flailing away lifelessly at Brandon Webb for 8 innings for only 1 run, they got to Brandon Lyon for the 2nd straight game. And boy did they tag him today.
Nomar Garciaparra started it with a double, and James Loney singled him over to 3rd. Andruw Jones didn't strike out for once, he actually had a good at-bat with an RBI groundout to cut the lead to 4-2. Blake DeWitt then grounded out, and it looked like the DBacks were well on their way to opening up a 2 game lead in the West.
But that's when the bats got red hot. Andy LaRoche pinch-hit for pitcher Ramon Troncoso and singled, which scored Loney to go down by 1. Still with 2 down, Matt Kemp hit a big double to score newly acquired Pablo Ozuna, who pinch-ran for LaRoche, to tie the game. Amazing. Even more amazing was that they got 2 more runs when Andre Ethier hit a bomb to center for a run-scoring triple, and Russell Martin capped the scoring with a single.
Jonathan Broxton got his 2nd save, though he gave up an RBI single to Stephen Drew with 2 down. Thankfully Conor Jackson grounded into a force play to end the game. Broxton's 2-2 since taking over for Takashi Saito recently, so it's a nice start.
While the Dodgers certainly have their bad offensive games, they did score 6 today and 8 Friday, and actually had 2 in the 9th on Saturday. I'm looking for any silver lining when it comes to that lineup, so having the bats bail out the pitching is a great change of events. It was typical today that they never hit a home run during the 9th, but strung together lots of hits. That's how they do things. It worked today.
Derek Lowe had a very poor 1st inning, giving up 3 runs, but settled down after that. He finished at 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 K. I'm sure he thought it would be another L for him, and who could blame him? He's still never won a game in 7 career starts at Chase Field, so I think he's happier than anyone that the bats picked him up.
The record is only 48-50, but it's still good enough for a share of first place. They'll take it. That's 10-6 this month, including a 3-game losing streak to the Marlins wedged in there. Not bad. They now have some winnable games coming, with 3 in Colorado, 3 vs. Washington, and 3 vs. San Francisco before the DBacks come to LA. Now is the time to make their move and get some distance.
Eric Stults will get the call tomorrow in Colorado. It's a big series for the Rockies since they're only 6 games back (believe it or not), so if they're going to make some noise, now is the time. Especially with rumors to deal Matt Holliday and/or Brian Fuentes, has they do in the next couple of weeks could very well determine what direction they take their ballclub.
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