The Dodgers have quickly turned an important series for the Giants into a laugher.
Behind another strong performance from Vicente Padilla, the Dodgers took the second game, 9-1. Combining the last two games, the Dodgers have walloped the Giants by a score of 19-4. The Giants are now 8 and 1/2 games back in the NL West, and 5 and 1/2 back in the Wild Card.
There was another close call in San Diego, as once again, Heath Bell blew a save in the ninth. This time, however, the Padres made up for it by drawing a bases loaded walk in the 10th, winning 3-2, and stretching the lead in the West for the Dodgers to three games.
The game was close early on, thanks to key errors by both teams. In the second, Matt Kemp reached on Eugenio Valez's throwing error. He then stole second, and took third on Casey Blake's single. Russell Martin walked to load the bases. Padilla got in on the act with an RBI single, but Blake was thrown out trying to score as well. It was a 1-0 lead for the Dodgers.
Randy Winn took a walk to start the bottom of the third. After Aaron Rowand struck out, Jonathan Sanchez dropped down the sacrifice bunt. Padilla had trouble with it, then made it worse by throwing it away. Winn scored, and it was 1-1.
For the Giants, that would be the end of their night, as they got pounded after that. The fourth is when the Dodgers put it away, thanks to an unlikely source. Blake walked and James Loney singled to lead off. Russell Martin then stepped up and crushed a three-run homer just inside the pole in left, making it 4-1. It was only his fifth of the year, but he chose a great time to do it.
It was pure cruise control after that, as the Dodgers tacked on a little more as the innings passed by. Juan Pierre walked and stole second to start the fifth. Matt Kemp's double to left scored him, making it 5-1.
Rafael Furcal hit an RBI double to score Martin in the sixth. Manny Ramirez tripled to start the seventh and scored on a wild pitch. Finally, Loney launched a two-run shot in the ninth to score Blake, finishing the scoring on this night.
As for Padilla, he's making a case for a postseason start based on his great performances. He went six innings, three hits, one run (zero earned, though his error led to it), three walks, and five strikeouts. With the Dodgers in four starts, he's 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA.
Hong-Chih Kuo, Ronald Belisario, and James McDonald each threw scoreless innings. McDonald looked really good, striking out the first two hitters he faced, then getting a weak grounder to first to shut the door.
Today's game will be interesting, as Chad Billingsley goes against old friend Brad Penny. Penny hasn't been shy about expressing his hatred for his former club, so you know he'll be ready. Billingsley has ridden the roller coaster this season, but shutting down the Giants for a sweep would be great for him.
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