Clayton Kershaw and Bronson Arroyo put on great pitching performances, as each surrendered two runs in seven innings. The Dodgers ended up winning the battle of the bullpens, as Matt Kemp's sacrifice fly in the 12th was enough to get the win, 3-2.
The win was especially sweet because the Giants just got done sweeping the Rockies in San Francisco. The lead in the NL West is now six games over each team.
With Manny Ramirez getting the day off, at least from starting the game, Kershaw knew he'd have to bring his best stuff to get a win. He didn't get the decision, but he did have great stuff. Along with only giving up two runs in seven, he struck out 11 and walked two. He was electric all day long.
Those two runs came in the second. Darnell McDonald hit his first big league home run, a towering two-run shot to left to make it 2-0. After that, the Reds couldn't get anything going.
On the flip side, Arroyo was showing everyone why he's been one of the hottest pitchers in the bigs lately. Through the first four innings, the Dodgers could only muster one walk, which lead to a double play from James Loney. Arroyo pitched to the minimum hitters.
Then came the fifth, and Kemp, hitting cleanup, made sure that changed. He connected with his 21st of the season, and it was 2-1. The bats weren't done yet, as Casey Blake followed with a single. Now with two down, Orlando Hudson singled as well for two on. Kershaw was just able to ground one through the middle for an RBI single and a 2-2 game.
Both teams had chances in the eighth to score, but came up empty. In the top of the inning, Manny pinch-hit but popped up. Rafael Furcal then walked and Juan Pierre singled. Andre Ethier and Kemp couldn't get on, and that was it.
George Sherrill and his 0.00 ERA as a Dodger entered in the bottom of the frame. He allowed a couple of singled consecutively with one down. But, he got Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips, ending that threat.
After Hudson grounded into a double play to end the top of the ninth (it's hard to watch him hit now because he's a freakin' ground ball machine), Ramon Troncoso mowed through the Reds to put it into extras.
Hong-Chih Kuo and James McDonald were very good, as they each struck out two while giving up a single. They made sure the Reds did not have a serious threat, as the Dodgers kept getting chances to win the game.
The solid pitching paid off, as the Dodgers got what they wanted in the 12th. No surprise here that it was Manny that began the rally by taking a walk from Francisco Cordero. Juan Castro found himself playing second with all the double switches, and he came through with a double to left for runners in scoring position.
Ethier was given the intentional walk to load the bases with one down. Kemp had a couple of strikes on him, then just missed hitting a grand slam to center. No matter, as it was plenty deep enough to score Manny to go up 3-2.
Jonathan Broxton got the chance for the save. He looked uncomfortable, took about five minutes in between pitches, yet somehow struck out the side for his 29th save. A couple of walks and 27 pitches made it a bumpy ride, but he got the big K when he needed it most.
Much like in Colorado, the Dodgers took two of three after dropping the first. They showed their mettle in situations where they looked like they could fold. Sure, the second half of the season hasn't been the smooth ride it was in the first, but the Dodgers still have the best record in the NL. That's saying something right there.
Following their successful 4-2 road trip, the Dodgers return home against the cellar-dwellers in the NL West, the Diamondbacks and Padres. That shouldn't really matter though, as any slip-up will only mean the Rockies and Giants will be ready to pounce.
First up is the Diamondbacks for four. Randy Wolf gets the ball in the first game against Doug Davis.
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