Add Matt Kemp to the growing list of late-inning heroes for the Dodgers.
With a full count, Kemp belted a solo homer that broke a two-all tie, carrying the Dodgers to a win over the Astros, 3-2. After dropping the first two games of the series rather easily, the Dodgers rebounded for a split.
The Astros were the ones to strike first, as the put up three runs in the third. Michael Bourne doubled to lead off, but the next two hitters lined out. Carlos Lee's single made it 1-0. A two-run homer by Geoff Blum made it 3-0, and it was beginning to look like a long day.
In the bottom of the third, Kemp started things with a walk and a stolen base. Brad Ausmus was the catcher, and he hit the first of two doubles on the day, knocking in Kemp to make it 3-1.
A little later in the fifth, Kemp and Ausmus again teamed up for a score. Kemp lead off with a single, and the second double by Ausmus now made it 3-2.
As good as it was to see the Dodgers fight back from a three-run hole, they got a huge help from the Astros' defense in the seventh. Actually, it was really only Alberto Arias' blunders that made the difference.
Kemp, once again, hit a leadoff single. Ausmus sacrifice bunted him over to second for one down. Blake DeWitt was then sent back to Albuquerque. No really, he pinch-hit and reached on Arias' error, putting Kemp at third as well. Rafael Furcal stepped in, and another error by Arias allowed Kemp to score to make it 3-3.
The eighth inning showed the highs and lows of hitting all in the span of two hitters. Andre Ethier singled to start, but James Loney promptly grounded into a double play. No worries, as Kemp's homer gave the Dodgers the lead for good.
The win gets Hiroki Kuroda off the hook, who was again not very good. He went five innings, giving up three runs on seven hits. The bullpen deserves the credit, as Guillermo Mota, Ramon Troncoso, and Jonathan Broxton combined for four perfect innings. It was especially good to see Broxton blow through the Astros in order for his 22nd save.
Kemp continues to have his best season of his young career, as the month of July has been very good to him with a .417 average. He's at or near the top in the major statistical categories on the team, even with hitting in the #8 spot most of the time. Along with great defense, it's been fun to watch him grow as a player.
Monday night will see something quite rare in Dodger Stadium: Jason Schmidt makes a start for the Dodgers. He's been a complete waste for them so far, but who knows, maybe he'll put together a decent second half. I can dream anyway...
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