No need for it to be somebody actually on the team. The Phillies closer will do just fine.
Poor Brad Lidge must be wondering just what the heck he's doing with himself, as for the second straight day, he has blown a save for the Phillies. This time it came on Rafael Furcal's pinch-hit homer in the ninth to tie it at two. Andre Ethier's solo shot in the 12th gave the Dodgers the win, 3-2.
The win gives the Dodgers two consecutive days of pretty much stealing victories from the Phillies, who in all likelihood, should probably be up 3-0 right now. But like I've talked about before, the Dodgers know how to finish games.
Both starting pitchers of Hiroki Kuroda and Joe Blanton were fantastic. Kuroda was making his second start since coming back from injury, and he held the Phillies scoreless over six innings, giving up two hits, three walks, and five strikeouts. Blanton gave up one run in six, striking out five as well.
After getting only a Matt Kemp single in the first three innings, Ethier hit his first homer of the day with one down in the fourth. James Loney singled and stole second with two down, but Kemp struck out to end the inning up 1-0.
All was well for L.A. until Ronald Belisario relieved Kuroda to start the seventh and coughed up the lead. Two straight singles by Raul Ibanez and Pedro Feliz started it off. Eric Brunlett sacrificed them to third, but Greg Dobbs popped up for two outs.
So with the pitcher's spot due up, who do you think the Phillies would call on? That damn Matt Stairs, who promptly smacked a two-run single to give them the edge, 2-1. I'd say he likes hitting in Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers had a threat in the seventh, but Juan Castro got picked off of second to kill any rally. At the time, it was a crushing blow because Juan Pierre singled to right, which could have most likely scored Castro.
In the ninth, Lidge came on and got Mark Loretta to ground out, then Raffy pinch-hit for Castro. It looked like a curious move since Furcal was 0-for-9 career against him. It didn't matter, as a high fly ball to right was just over the glove of Jayson Werth, and it was all tied up.
Jonathan Broxton got the Phillies in order in the 10th. The Doders realistically should have put the game away in the bottom of the inning, as Orlando Hudson and Ethier lead off with singles. But, Russell Martin couldn't get a bunt down, then struck out. Loney flied out and Kemp struck out, and it was an opportunity lost.
The Phillies were unable to get any baserunners for the three extra innings, but the Dodgers were struggling as well. With two outs in the 12th, Ethier had a full count, then deposited the Chad Durbin pitch easily over the center field wall. Your hero, once again, was Ethier.
While the Phillies can be kicking themselves for blowing chances the last two days, the Dodgers deserve credit for taking advantage of the opportunities given to them. They made all the clutch plays when they've needed to, which is exactly what they've done all season long. And hopefully will continue to do well into October.
With the exception of Belisario's shaky seventh, Ramon Troncoso, Broxton, and Cory Wade combined for no runs in five innings, only allowing two baserunners. That's some outstanding stuff.
Tonight is a busy night for L.A. sports fans, as the Dodgers and Lakers will be playing in town at the same time. Randy Wolf takes the mound looking for his fourth win, and for a Dodger series victory over the defending World Champs.
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