Wolf does it all again

Maybe Randy Wolf should start hitting cleanup when he's on the mound.

For the second straight start, Wolf not only was masterful on the mound, but got the job done with his bat as well. Seven innings of one run ball combined with a big two-run double carried the Dodgers to a close win over the Cubs, 2-1.

The Rockies and Giants are locked in a three-game series, and the Giants easily got the first win, 6-2. Currently, the Dodgers lead the NL West over the Rockies by 4 and 1/2 and the Giants by 5 and 1/2.

Wolf continues to be one of the best free agent signings in all of baseball. Considering he only inked a one-year deal for $5 million, he's probably the best bargain signing this year. A 3.34 ERA and 1.11 WHIP proves that. Had he not received 13 no-decisions this year, he would easily be talked about as one of the best pitchers in the NL this season.

Performances like the last two he's had will get people talking, though. With the rest of the rotation either nursing injuries or ineffectiveness, Wolf has been a rock all year long. Who would have thought he'd turn out to be their ace?

After coaxing three straight grounders to start the game, Wolf got his stick going in the second. James Loney singled with one down. An out later, Orlando Hudson bounced a hard one to third that Aramis Ramirez could not handle. Wolf then laced one to the wall in center, scoring both for the 2-1 lead.

The Cubs fought right back by getting an RBI single from Ryan Theriot in the third. At 2-1, both staffs shut the door the rest of the game.

Once Wolf exited after the seventh, the Dodgers went to their new formula of George Sherrill and Jonathan Broxton to shut the door. Sherrill walked a slumping Alfonso Soriano to start the eighth. Soriano stole second on a ball that bounced by Russell Martin anyway. But, Sam Fuld and Jake Fox both grounded out to Rafael Furcal, and that was it.

Broxton has had his fair share of shaky outings lately, but not Friday night. Theriot grounded out, and both Milton Bradley and Derek Lee struck out to end the game. Now that's the dominant Brox we all have gotten to know.

In his last three games, Wolf has gone 3-0 with a 1.99 ERA. In his last two games at the plate, he's gone 4-for-5 with two runs, five RBIs, one double, and one home run. I'd say he's on a pretty good hot streak.

In addition to Wolf's big night, it was good to see the Dodgers locked in a close game the whole way and still come out on top. In fact, this could have been a 3-1 game had Manny Ramirez not been robbed of a solo homer by Fuld in the eighth. Either way, all three pitchers stepped up and lead the way.

The Dodgers will look to increase their lead in the West even more by sending Charlie Haeger to the mound. He had a great debut against a tough Cardinals team, but was victimized by the long ball and a lack of run support. He'll look to keep the Cubs' offense from busting out of their slump.