Wednesday's afternoon game in Coors Field saw the Dodgers do something they've done the previous two games - put together a big inning. This time it was a five-run seventh that gave them a 7-3 lead and seemingly put this one away.
After the lead was increased to 8-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Rockies refused to go quietly.
Despite a massive late run that saw the bases loaded and one out, the Dodgers were able to hold on to win, 8-6. That makes it the second sweep already of the Rockies and eight of nine overall.
With the red-hot Casey Blake and the banged up Rafael Furcal getting rests, Mark Loretta and Juan Castro were able to fill in nicely, something they've done tremendously all year long. They combined to score three runs.
A single by James Loney in first put the Dodgers up one early. In the second, Castro grounded into a fielder's choice, but an error by Troy Tulowitzki scored Andre Ethier from third.
Clayton Kershaw was on the mound, and he was victimized by his Achilles' heel, the walk. Two straight to start the third put men on, and they advanced to scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. Clint Barmes then scored on a balk to make it 2-1.
The fourth saw the Rockies take their first lead of the series on a long ball by Ryan Spillborghs to score two, and it was 3-2. Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez settled down to keep the Dodgers in check for four straight innings.
In the seventh, however, the Dodgers again scored a bunch. With one down, Matt Kemp walked and Castro singled. Blake pinch-hit and struck out for two down, and it looked as if the Rocks would avoid much, if any, trouble.
Too bad for them (and good for L.A.), that didn't happen. Juan Pierre drove in Kemp with a single to knot it at three apiece. Manny Corpas, once a really good closer and now a lowly middle relief man, gave up an RBI single to Loretta and a walk to Orlando Hudson.
With the bases loaded and Loney due up, lefty Randy Flores was called on. It didn't matter as Loney cleared the bases with a double, and just like that it was 7-3.
Another RBI single by Pierre got the score to 8-3 heading into the ninth. Ronald Belisario started it, but Spilborghs singled. Enter Will Ohman, who surrendered an RBI triple to Seth Smith, and this game was suddenly looking interesting at 8-4.
Joe Torre didn't mess around anymore, bringing in Jonathan Broxton to finish it off. After striking out Barmes, Broxton was all over the place. A double by Paul Phillips made it 8-5, and the next two hitters walked. With the bases loaded, Tulowitzki struck out for two outs.
Todd Helton was able to work Broxton's third walk to make it 8-6, and the Dodgers had to be wondering if they'd ever make it out of there. Brad Hawpe had a chance to be a hero, but grounded out to short to end the game.
The end of the road wasn't easy, but getting a big lead in Coors is obviously never safe. The Rockies don't have the power that they once did, so huge comebacks aren't as likely. It almost happened today, but Broxton was pretty much his own worst enemy. Hey, a win's a win, as they say.
A battle of Randy's will begin a four-game set in Chicago, Wolf vs. Wells. Wolf has been great this year, while Wells will be making his fourth career start. Even with the Cubs treading water at around .500, it should be a good matchup in a rematch of last year's NLDS.
The Dodgers swept that series, if you recall...
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