These are the Dodgers we've been waiting to see all year. Big pitching, clutch hitting, and most importantly, first place in the NL West.
Hiroki Kuroda was practically unhittable for 7 innings, and the Dodgers needed only 3 runs to take the game and the sweep, 3-1. This was a big series for each team, as Phillies entered in first place of the NL East and the Dodgers were battling the Diamondbacks for the West. The end result was the New York Mets taking over the East, and the Dodgers in a deadlock with the DBacks.
The game only took about 2 hours and 20 minutes, due in large part to the effectiveness of Kuroda and Phillies' starter Brett Myers. Kuroda ended at 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K. That's now 3 straight starts of at least 7 innings and 1 run. Before that, he was terrible. Now, he's awesome. That's the way it's been for him this year. With 2 of those wins against the DBacks and Phillies, it's a great sign.
The scoring started in the 2nd when James Loney led off with a triple. 1 out later, Nomar Garciaparra grounded out to score him and go up by 1. That would be it for awhile, as both pitchers were locked in.
The Dodgers struck next in the 6th when Matt Kemp homered to center, and it was 2-0. The Phills finally got a run in the 7th on Ryan Howard's sac-fly RBI to go down 2-1. Pat Burrell K'd in Kuroda's last hitter of the night.
Casey Blake contributed with 2 outs in the 7th. Russell Martin, who's still trying to find his groove lately, singled and stole 2nd. Blake singled him home, and that would do it for the night. Blake came in with good numbers with RISP, and he showed why yet again.
For the 2nd time this series, Hong-Chih Kuo put up blanks in the 8th and 9th, getting the win last time and save this time. Where would the Dodgers be without his numbers in the bullpen? That's hard to imagine. With a 1.66 ERA, he's been that good all year long.
After nearly blowing a 7-1 lead on Monday, the Dodgers have to be feeling really good about the way they took command in this series. They got huge walk-off hits from Andre Ethier and Nomar, great starting pitching in 3 of the games, and never wilted against the pressure of playing in close games against a good team. Now more than any other point this season, Arizona has to be worried.
Life doesn't get any easier for LA, as they welcome the Milwaukee Brewers and their 70-52 record into Chavez Ravine for 3. In a great gift from God, they will not have to face C.C. Sabathia, who now pitches complete game shutouts in his sleep. Instead, it'll be Manny Parra taking on Chad Billingsley tonight as the Dodgers look to get sole control of the West.
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