On a night Manny Ramirez wasn't in the starting lineup, he still found a way to make his mark on the game. It couldn't have come at a better time, as Dodger Stadium was sold out for Manny Ramirez Bobblehead Night.
Pinch-hitting with the bases loaded in the sixth of a 2-2 game, Manny laced the first pitch he saw into the Mannywood section in left field for a grand slam. The Dodgers never looked back, as they got the win and a sweep over the Reds, 6-2.
I've seen plenty of Dodgers games, but that's about as loud as I can ever recall the fans getting. That's right up there with some of the best moments they've had in that stadium's history. It was that dramatic.
With Manny resting his sore left hand, the Reds jumped on Chad Billingsley in the first. Joey Votto, about the only reason to watch the Reds these days, doubled home Chris Dickerson for the first run. Already, it was starting to look like a long night for Bills.
Andre Ethier stepped into the third spot of the order with Manny out and crushed a solo homer to center to tie the game at one. That's his team-leading 20th shot of the year.
The Dodgers took the lead in the fourth, though they got a little bit of help in doing so. Ethier walked to lead off, and James Loney stepped in an out later. He lifted a soft fly ball to left that Laynce Nix dove for and missed, allowing Loney to get an RBI triple and the 2-1 lead.
Billingsley's own wildness caught up to him in the sixth. Willy Taveras and Votto both singled to lead off. Consecutive strikeouts to Brandon Phillips and Nix came next, and there were two down and runners on second and third. But, Bills unleashed a wild pitch, scoring Taveras to tie the game at two.
That's when Manny came in and did his magic. Bronson Arroyo was actually pitching pretty well up until this point, when he walked both Loney and Matt Kemp, and Russell Martin singled. He was pulled for Nick Masset, who saw his first pitch get creamed. Talk about a tough spot to be put into.
From there, the Dodgers' bullpen took over and put this game away. Guillermo Mota pitched two perfect innings and Jonathan Broxton took care of the ninth in order. I think it's safe to say that after Manny's slam, the Reds were just done at that point.
Billingsley certainly showed signs of getting out of his slump. He went six innings, giving up seven hits, two runs, one walk, and seven strikeouts. He has his defense to thank for this one. First, Martin blocked pitch after pitch that went into the dirt. Also, a fantastic double play by Loney and a sliding throw to first on a dropped third strike by Martin kept Bills in the game. It feels good to say that he has finally gotten his 10th win.
Everything is going well for the Dodgers right now. They've beaten the Reds 12 straight games at home, which is pretty crazy. Their lead in the NL West over the Rockies is nine games, and 10.5 over the Giants. Oh ya, they also have the best record in the majors. Life is good.
Thursday is an off day, which should be enough to get Manny back in the lineup for the Marlins on Friday. What a pitching matchup it will be: Clayton Kershaw vs. Josh Johnson. That should be great to watch.
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