Chris Volstad was able to easily mow through the Dodgers for through five innings on Friday night, giving up only a double to Casey Blake. But in a show of resiliency, the Dodgers got three back in the sixth, and eventually tacked on more runs to get the win, 6-4.
It all started when Blake hit a solo homer to left to lead off the sixth, and that seemed to energize the whole team. Pinch-hitting for starter Eric Stults, Xavier Paul hit his first Major League home run the next batter, and it was 3-2. If you can recall, he was the guy called up when Manny got suspended, and he's now 3-5 with a double and homer.
Juan Pierre singled, but was erased trying to steal second. Rafael Furcal and Orlando Hudson both singled to follow. At this point, I was really hoping Andre Ethier wouldn't hit into another double play, something he's gotten pretty used to. Thankfully he didn't, as he hit a sac-fly to left that was good enough to score Raffy and tie it at three apiece.
With the game knotted up, it would come down to a battle of the bullpens. Jeff Weaver took over for Stults in the bottom of the sixth and held the Marlins in check. James Loney lead off the seventh with a single, and Volstad would then exit for Kiko Calero.
The Dodgers' patience would be their best friend, as Matt Kemp and pinch-hitting Mark Loretta got free passes. That set up a big at-bat for Pierre, who delivered with a single between first and second, scoring Loney and Kemp for the 5-3 lead.
Brent Leach relieved in the bottom of the seventh and gave up an RBI groundout to Chris Coghlan, cutting the lead to 5-4. Ronald Belisario would come on with two outs and get Hanley Ramirez on a flyout to end the inning.
Belisario did walk Jorge Cantu to start the eighth, so Cory Wade would be called on. Wade would eventually load the bases on a hit and walk, but would escape when Alfredo Amezaga flied out. With the exception of getting bombed by the Nationals on May 7, Wade has been really good since his return. He looks like a solid setup guy again.
The Dodgers would get an insurance run in the ninth. Pierre walked with one down, and O-Dog singled one out later. Ethier again had a chance to drive in a run, and again came through. His single scored Pierre and increased the lead to 6-4.
The two-run lead would mean Jonathan Broxton would again get a save opportunity. He had a 3-1 lead against the Phillies yesterday, but gave up a tying double. Tonight would also be a rollercoaster, though with a happier ending.
With one out, consecutive walks would be issued to Coghlan and Ramirez. Cantu would ground back to Broxton, and both runners advanced. With two runners in scoring position, it was a big spot. Ross Gload looked to hit one hard into right, but it hung up enough for Ethier to easily handle it and end the game.
While the win was sweet, what will probably be most remembered in this game is the three Marlins that got tossed. Manager Fredi Gonzalez, Dan Uggla, and Emilio Bonifacio were all shown the door late in the game. I guess when you lose 18 of 24, you have a pretty good reason to be frustrated.
After beginning their Post-Manny Era (at least for 50 games) with some tough losses, the Dodgers have won three straight, all on the road. And they are doing so with contributions up and down the lineup. Most notably, Pierre deserves a ton of credit for staying prepared and getting on base. Do people realize he's hitting .391? Give the man his due because he has earned it.
Eric Milton has been recalled to start tomorrow's game. It's his first start sine May 8, 2007 with the Reds against the Astros. Obviously, it's been a long road back to the Bigs for him, so I'm sure he'll be ready to go.
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