The Dodgers couldn't get anything done on Friday night with runners in scoring position. On Saturday, they made sure that would quickly change.
Manny Ramirez broke out of a power slump by hitting a two-run homer in the first, and the Dodgers powered their way to a victory over the Reds, 11-4. The Giants edged the Rockies, so the lead in the NL West is up to five over the Rocks and six over the Giants.
The Dodgers jumped up to a 4-0 lead after a couple of innings. In the second, Mark Loretta and Orlando Hudson singled to lead off. Brad Ausmus hit an infield single that was good enough to score Loretta. After a sacrifice by Charlie Haeger, Rafael Furcal's sac-fly RBI made it 4-0.
It's a good thing the Dodgers found a way to get runners in, because Haeger struggled in his third start of this season. He got through the first couple of innings unscathed, but ran into trouble in the third.
Craig Tatum lead off with a solo homer to go down 4-1. Paul Janish added a two-run shot, and Brandon Phillips an RBI single to get the game back even at four. Just like that, the Dodgers needed to go back to work.
Good thing for them, that's exactly what they did. It didn't happen right away, but Raffy did what he could by hitting a solo homer in the fifth, making it 5-4.
In the seventh, the Dodgers struck big. Andre Ethier pinch-hit and doubled to right to start. Raffy had another great at-bat by reaching on a bunt single, then going to second on an error. Juan Pierre singled them both home, and it was 7-4.
They weren't done yet, as Manny walked to put two on. Matt Kemp connected on a long three-run homer to center to make it 10-4. Even Hudson got in on the act, as his solo homer closed the scoring at 11-4.
Even though it was just the Reds, it was good to see the offense more than get the job done. Especially considering how frustrating Friday's loss was, as their bats went silent time and again, combined with Chad Billingsley's rough start. Saturday was a chance to get going again, and that's exactly what happened.
Haeger certainly didn't help his cause for staying in the rotation, as his knuckleball just wasn't there. He went 2 and 1/3 innings, four hits, four runs, two walks, and three strikeouts. With Hiroki Kuroda on his way back, it remains to be seen if Haeger gets another chance to start.
The bullpen was fantastic, as they really gave the Dodgers a chance to win. Jeff Weaver got the win, and went 3 and 1/3 innings of shutout ball, striking out four. Ramon Troncoso got the last out of the sixth, Ronald Belisario pitched the next two, and Guillermo Mota finished it off.
With the Rockies unable to solve the Giants, a win by the Dodgers today could mean a six game lead at the end of the day. It'll be a good one, as Clayton Kershaw takes on the resurgent Bronson Arroyo.
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