I know it's been said before, but it definitely can't be overstated: without Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers would have been lining up their offseason plans long ago.
Look no further for proof than Saturday night's game in which he hit 2 homers for 5 RBI's to practically carry the Dodgers over the San Francisco Giants, 10-7. It was a one-man wrecking crew.
With all of that offensive explosion, it's almost mind boggling that the very next day, the well ran completely dry. Matt Cain gave up 5 hits in 6 innings, and the bullpen combined to no-hit the Dodgers the other 5 innings as the Giants won a nail biter, 1-0 in 12 innings. With a win by the Arizona Diamondbacks, it's now a 2.5 games lead in the NL West.
It also means that winning the NL West won't be so easy after all.
Historically, Cain has had a very rough time against the Dodgers, but you wouldn't know that by watching yesterday. Not only against Cain, but any pitcher that went out, the Dodgers just looked completely baffled. Give them credit for pitching so well even with their team being down and out for most of the season.
Derek Lowe did all he could to keep the lead in the West over 3 games. He finished with 7 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K. Like Cain, he kept the hitters off balanced from the start. Cory Wade pitched 2 innings of great ball, followed by a shutout 10th from Jonathan Broxton.
Unfortunately, it was Takashi Saito that was the first one to crack in the 11th, and his long delivery cost him. With 2 outs and a runner on 1st, Brad Hennessey (yes, the starting pitcher), pinch-ran for Pablo Sandoval and STOLE 2ND BASE. Wow. After an infield single by Eugenio Valez pushed Hennessey to 3rd, Rich Aurilia's RBI single was the game's only run.
CJ Wilson had to work hard to get the save, and he K'd Manny and Casey Blake, and got James Loney to line out to center. And with that, the Giants took 2 of 3 in what was no doubt a frustrating weekend for the boys in blue.
Suddenly, it's the DBacks who are hot, winning 6 of 7, and the Dodgers who are looking ordinary. The Dodgers are still in the driver's seat with a bit of a cushion, but it's definitely not over. The good news is that the DBacks travel to St. Louis for 4 while the Dodgers stay home against the San Diego Padres, who are a complete embarrassment this year.
The bad news is that Jake Peavy takes the mound today, who's about the only reason to even somewhat pay attention to that team. Chad Billingsley also goes today, and he's coming off a rough outing in Pittsburgh. Still, it's a battle of 2 aces in the NL, and it'll be fun to watch. If the Dodgers can step up and beat Peavy, then I like their chances much more. Another loss would make everyone start to sweat a lot worse.
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