Russell Martin sure needed some good news. Stuck in a 2-for-23 slump, he found himself up with the bases loaded and 2 down. With count run to 3-2, all he needed was for a break to finally go his way.
And it did. Duaner Sanchez pitched one high, and Martin checked his swing in time to score Orlando Hudson for the game's only run, 1-0. With the win, the Dodgers are still undefeated at home at 8-0.
The game was highlighted by a fantastic pitching duel between Jake Peavy and Clayton Kershaw. Both men have fantastic stuff, but have also been hit hard lately. Last night, they both figured it out.
Peavy pitched 8 scoreless innings, giving up 2 hits and K'ing 8. Kershaw had 7 scoreless innings with 4 hits and 3 K's. For Kershaw, it was especially important to pitch well deep into the game considering Eric Stults and James McDonald combined to go 4.1 innings the 2 nights before. And with news that Hong-Chih Kuo is back on the DL, it's more pressure on the starters to get quality innings.
There's not a whole lot to say about both offenses, as Peavy let 3 men reach base and Kershaw 7, which included an error by Rafael Furcal. The Padres had a couple of threats to score. In the 2nd, Chase Headley and Henry Blanco singled but were stranded. And in the 4th Scott Hairston lead off with a double, but a double play did them in.
Fast-forward to the 9th where Sanchez took over for Peavy. Raffy greeted him with a single, but Hudson grounded him into a forceout. Hudson did take 2nd on a wild pitch, however. That lead Manny Ramirez to get the intentional pass, setting the stage for James Loney... who struck out. With 2 outs, Matt Kemp walked to load 'em up, and Martin got the winning walk. Looks like the old Dodger Sanchez ain't what he used to be.
The bullpen did their job, including the 8th inning! Ronald Belisario started it and got an out and a walk, so Will Ohman came on for the final 2 outs. Jonathan Broxton pitched a 1-2-3 9th, getting the win in the process.
The Dodgers are off to their best home start since the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers won their first 9. They ended up losing to the Yankees in the World Series that year, but that happened like every year back then. We know history won't repeat itself this year since the Yankees' pitching is atrocious.
Randy Wolf will take the mound tonight looking to equal that mark from '47 against Chris Young. With the rotation shaky, Wolf and Chad Billingsley are the only sure things right now, so a big start by Wolf would be nice.
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