Big Russ goes boom

It's been a long time since I've said that Russell Martin has been the major difference in a game.

Thursday night finally belonged to him.

Tied at two in the sixth, Martin hit his second career grand slam to break open the game against the Cubs, as the Dodgers cruised, 7-2. The Rockies also won (beating the Nationals should count as half a win), so the lead in the NL West is still 3 and 1/2.

After mercifully kicking the Cardinals out of town, the Dodgers were looking for ways to get back on the winning side. With Jeff Weaver getting another spot start, the offense knew they had to lead the way.

Weaver, however, posted a really good outing. In 5 and 1/2 innings, he gave up five hits, two runs, two walks, and four strikeouts. He kept the Dodgers not only in the game, but with a great chance at winning. That's all you can ask for in a spot like he was in.

The Dodgers got to work right away, as Rafael Furcal singled to lead off. A bad pickoff throw from Tom Gorzelanny allowed him to go to second, and Matt Kemp's single put runners on the corners. Andre Ethier hit an RBI groundout to make it 1-0.

A homer by Kosuke Fukudome tied the game at one in the second. Raffy got the Dodgers back on top in the bottom of the frame with an RBI single to score Martin, who had walked. But then the Cubs fought right back on an Aramis Ramirez RBI single, and it was tied up at two.

So here the Dodgers were again locked in a tight one later in the game. Against the Cardinals, they failed over and over to get anything done. Against the rest of the league, they've had great success. Martin made sure it stayed that way.

Manny Ramirez lead off with a single up the middle, and Casey Blake did the same. Orlando Hudson laid down a sacrifice bunt. With one down, the Cubs chose to walk James Loney to load the bases and try for a forceout at any base. Martin had other ideas, as his long fly ball was just enough to get over the left field wall.

Blake added an RBI single to score Manny in the seventh to round out the scoring. Ronald Belisario got the win by getting the last two outs in the sixth. Ramon Troncoso pitched a scoreless inning, and Guillermo Mota the last two to finish it off.

It's only one game, but perhaps this is the jumpstart the Dodgers needed. It could especially be good for Martin, who amazingly only has four homers this season. If the Dodgers can start getting more balance out of their lineup, then they can get on a run again. But if they lose tonight and stop hitting again, then it's back to a slump.

Randy Wolf, who's been the Dodgers most consistent starter all year, will get the ball again tonight. He's opposed by Randy Wells, and these two locked up earlier in the year with Wolf getting the slight edge, 2-1.