The Dodgers used solid pitching from Randy Wolf and a pinch-hit go-ahead single from Mark Loretta in the seventh to get the win over the A's, 3-2. The win now places the great Joe Torre on fifth in the all-time wins list with 2,195, passing Sparky Anderson.
It was a typical Dodger-like win: good starting pitching, solid bullpen work, and big hits when needed. That's the formula that was carried the Dodgers to a Major League-best 44-23.
Kurt Suzuki grounded into a double play in the first, but got some revenge in the third. With two down and two on, he doubled to left to score Bobby Crosby and take the 1-0 lead.
There were plenty of chances to score in the second for the Dodgers, as Casey Blake and Andre Ethier began with singles each. With one down, James Loney was given the intentional pass to load the bases. Russell Martin got good wood on one, but lined right to Orlando Cabrera at short. Wolf then struck out, and that was that.
Orlando Hudson took matters into his own hands the next inning, launching a solo shot to center to knot the game at one. It was his fifth of the year.
Martin mustered an infield hit to start the fifth, as he'll take just about anything these days with an average hovering in the .230s. Wolf sacrificed him over to second, and Juan Pierre's RBI single pushed the Dodgers in the lead, 2-1.
An old friend came back to haunt the Dodgers in the seventh, as Nomar Garciaparra pinch-hit for starter Vin Mazzaro and hit an RBI single to tie the game at two. Brent Leach relieved Cory Wade and got a big double play ball off Adam Kennedy's bat to keep the game even.
It didn't take long for the Dodgers to claim the lead for good, as Loney hit a ground rule double with one out in the seventh. After Martin walked, Loretta came on and scored Loney on a single to make it 3-2. That was all the Dodgers would need on this night.
Jonathan Broxton was unavailable with a sore toe (that must be one huge toe), so it was up to the rest of the 'pen to get the win. Ronald Belisario came on in the eighth and got the side in order. He started the ninth and got Jason Giambi to fly out, but then surrendered a single.
No sweat, said Ramon Troncoso, as he got Ryan Sweeney got ground into the game-ending double play. That's hit fourth save of the year.
The Dodgers aren't exactly known for their stellar Interleague play, but they just took two of three from the A's, to along with a series win in Texas a week ago. So hopefully the days of being slapped around by the American League are over.
Next up is another Freeway Series, won last time by the Angels. Chad Billingsley had a great start last Sunday in Texas, and he'll look to get his 10th win of the season.
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