Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Big sticks busted out in Coors

The Dodgers temporarily halted the red-hot Colorado Rockies by hitting three home runs en route to a 6-1 win. The power display was enough to put the Dodgers back up by three games in the NL West.

Like last night, the Dodgers struck in the first. Only this time, they actually held onto the lead. With one down, Matt Kemp drew a walk. Andre Ethier then launched a long two-run bomb to grab the quick 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third, the Rockies would get their only run of the night on a solo homer by Ryan Spilborghs. That's as good as it would get for them on this night, as they had no answers for Randy Wolf.

A big fourth inning would put the game away for good. Once again, Ethier was the man as he hit a leadoff homer for the 3-1 lead. Manny Ramirez was hit by a pitch and Casey Blake walked to set it up for James Loney. Loney's not known for his power, but he got all of a shot just inside the foul pole in right for a three-run tater and a 6-1 lead.

Like I said before, Wolf was just awesome, as he didn't need much support on this night. He pitched 7 and 1/3 innings, giving up five hits, one run, two walks, and five strikeouts. That's his fourth straight win as he's absolutely been on fire.

There's one thing that he didn't do right, though... he didn't get an extra-base hit. Ah well, I can be picky.

George Sherrill came on to get the last two outs of the eighth. He got Spilborghs to line to center and Todd Helton to ground into a fielder's choice. Jonathan Broxton got a double play ball in the ninth on his way to a scoreless inning.

It's pretty rare that I can say the Dodgers scored all of their runs via the long ball, but that was a welcome sight tonight. After all, they are 13th in the National League in home runs, so we all know they're the manufacturing type of team. In Coors Field, however, the homer can be your best friend as it was tonight.

So now the Dodgers will send the newly acquired Vicente Padilla to the hill Thursday afternoon against Jorge De La Rosa. Neither man will be confused with Cy Young, but I've got to think the Dodgers again have an advantage here. Another win would mean two of three after dropping a tough opener.

A win would also give the Dodgers a four game pad before their schedule greatly lightens up. That's certainly not a huge lead, but better than it was going into this series. And with reports that Hiroki Kuroda is on his way back eventually, they would have to start feeling much better about their chances in reclaiming their division dominance.

A loss would mean only a two game lead, and it's anyone's ballgame.

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