The Dodgers found themselves locked in another pitcher's duel Saturday night against the Padres. With both teams unable to crack the opponent's starting pitcher, it would come down to a battle of the bullpens.
Despite the Dodgers' shaky start to their season in the 'pen, it was the Padres that crumbled for the 2nd night in a row. Andre Ethier's walk-off single with the bases loaded and no outs gave the Dodgers a 2-1 win. The 9-0 home start matches the 1946 Brooklyn Dodgers for best in team history. Whoa.
A day after Jake Peavy and Clayton Kershaw put up blanks, Chris Young and Randy Wolf were nearly as good. Young lasted 7 innings giving up 1 run. Wolf finished at 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K. Wolf's road was a bit more rocky, but the bullpen of Ramon Troncoso, Cory Wade, and Guillermo Mota picked him up perfectly.
It took 2 hitters for the Padres to get on the board, as the younger Gonzalez, Edgar, launched a solo shot to left for the 1-0 lead. The Dodgers would strike back in the 3rd when Wolf "helped his own cause" (famous baseball saying for the pitcher got a hit) doubled to lead off. Rafael Furcal's single to right tied it at 1.
That's the way it would stay for awhile, though the Padres did have their chances. 2 walks were stranded in the 5th. In the 6th, they again got 2 walks and an infield single by Adrian Gonzalez to load the bases with 1 down. Troncoso relieved and got a huge double play ball from Kevin Kouzmanoff to end it.
The bullpen deserves a ton of credit, which was boosted by a healthy Wade. Troncoso went 1.2 innings, Wade 2, and Mota got the win with a scoreless 10th, stranding 2 runners. With Hong-Chih Kuo's status up in the air, it's good to see guys like Mota be relied upon, in addition to the much-improved Troncoso. Maybe the bullpen woes are close to ending.
For the 2nd straight night, the Padres chose not to pitch closer Heath Bell, and it's cost them. This time it was Luke Gregerson who blew it late. With the top of the order up to start the 10th, Raffy and Orlando Hudson singled. Manny Ramirez was given the free pass, setting the stage for Ethier. And he left no doubt with a hit off the right field wall to end it.
At 9-0 at home, the Dodgers obviously have the best home record in baseball. They hold a 4.5 games lead over the Giants in the NL West, and that's with Raffy hitting .258, Russell Martin .224 (raised after going 3-4 last night), and Casey Blake .225. It's all about timely hitting right now, and the Dodgers have found every way to get the job done.
Today's game will mean a lot, as this team looks to set a franchise record by starting 10-0 at home. That in addition to a 4-game sweep of the Padres, who started this series in 2nd place, would be extra sweet. Chad Billingsley will get the call looking to improve to 5-0.
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