Maybe a game with an ejection, a bean ball, and some arguing will wake the Dodgers up.
It worked on this day, as the Dodgers took the Labor Day game from the Diamondbacks, 7-2. Three homers and another strong start by Vicente Padilla was a recipe for success.
More noteworthy was Manny Ramirez's ejection in his second at-bat. He struck out on three pitches, tossed his bat and helmet, and got the boot from home plate umpire Doug Eddings. One can only guess there were some colorful words thrown in as well.
Manny already left his mark on this game, though. In the second with no score, he took a changeup from Max Scherzer and deposited it into left field for a solo shot. James Loney followed with one of his own for his 10th of the season, all on the road.
Still in the second, Ronnie Belliard singled with nobody out. Scherzer battled some bad control problems, as two wild pitches put Belliard at third. Russell Martin hit an RBI single, and the Dodgers took command, 3-0.
That would be all the runs Padilla would need, as he's put together his third straight good start. On the day, he went six innings for six hits, two runs, one walk, and three strikeouts. His only blemish was a two-run shot by Chris Young in the fifth. He's definitely justified being kept in the starting rotation.
Belliard would continue his strong day by belting a solo homer in the fourth to go up 4-0. He's been given plenty of playing time the last few days with Casey Blake resting his sore hammy. It's worked out pretty well, as he's put together some good games.
After Young's two-run homer in the fifth made it 4-2, Belliard again made his mark in the eighth. Juan Pierre singled with one out, then proceeded to steal two bases. Loney walked, and Belliard's RBI double made it 5-2. Orlando Hudson was given the intentional pass, and Martin hit an sac-fly RBI to make it 6-2.
The last run was scored in the ninth on Pierre's RBI single, scoring Matt Kemp. After failing miserably with runners on against the Padres, the Dodgers finally got big hits today, including the homers. Let's hope it lasts more than just today.
Martin was involved in a near confrontation with Scherzer in the fourth. Belliard had just hit his solo homer to go up 4-0. Two batters later, Martin was plunked and was not pleased. After exchanging pleasantries on his way to first, they again did after the inning was over. Nothing else came of it, though.
Jonathan Broxton had to get the final four outs for his 33rd save in 38 chances. He hasn't given up an earned run since blowing a save against the DBacks on August 15, otherwise known as the game Hiroki Kuroda took a liner off the head. Brox has settled down at the right time.
The win was good because, yet again, the Rockies and Giants won as well. For the Rockies, they came back to get a win at home against Cincinnati. Down 3-1 going into the seventh, they figured it out in time for the win. The Giants squashed the Padres, 9-4.
In all, it means the Dodgers still lead the NL West over the Rockies by 3 and 1/2 and the Giants by 5 and 1/2.
Both teams are back at it again on Tuesday, as Chad Billingsley will look to avenge a loss against these DBacks from last week. He's lost his last three starts since beating the Cardinals on August 18, so he's looking to get back on track again.
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