Andre "Walk-Off" Ethier does it again

Just when the Dodgers needed a big moment, they turned to their most clutch player from last season.

Andre Ethier's walk-off singled scored Blake DeWitt in the 10th inning as the Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks, 6-5. It was quite the exciting way for the series to end, as the Dodgers claimed their first one of the year after dropping the first two.

This game was quite similar to the night before when the Dodgers were up 3-0 early only to blow it. This time, the Diamondbacks built a three-run lead after five innings, but were unable to hold on once the bullpen entered.

Hiroki Kuroda got the starting nod, and was given the task of getting deep into the game to avoid using the already overworked bullpen. 107 pitches and seven innings later, he did his job. But, there were some bumps early on.

Two of the first three hitters of the game singled, but were stranded. In the second, the Diamondbacks cashed in. Following a leadoff double by Chris Young, which actually should've been an easy flyout had Matt Kemp not lost it in the lights, John Hester scored him with an RBI single. Connor Jackson added an infield single to make it 2-0.

After settling down a bit, Kuroda surrendered a double to Dan Haren to start the fifth, and Jackson hit another RBI single to put it at 3-0. Haren himself was dealing at that point, so things looked bleak.

The Dodgers finally cracked the scoreboard in the sixth. Manny Ramirez walked and James Loney singled for runners on the corners. Casey Blake grounded out to second to score Manny, and it was now 3-1.

Haren started the seventh, but gave up a single to pinch-hitter Ronnie Belliard, hitting for Kuroda. Following a flyout, Haren exited, and Aaron Heilman entered. It didn't work. Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer, and just like that, Haren's attempt at his second win was gone, as the score was now 3-3.

Jeff Weaver once again made an entrance, and he got hit right away when Justin Upton put the Diamondbacks up 4-3 with a solo shot in the eighth. It's hard to blame Weaver for being a little off considering he's already appeared in seven games. But he's the type of guy that will do whatever is asked of him, which is great.

Now in the ninth, George Sherrill was asked to keep it a one-run game. And, sure enough, he couldn't do it. Granted, Casey Blake's error was the reason Hester scored, but still. Sherrill only got one out while giving up a run on two walks and a hit. Horrible. Ramon Ortiz had to get the last two outs, stranding the bases loaded.

It was all up to Chad Qualls to get the save, something he couldn't do the night before. Well, he couldn't do it on this night either. Rafael Furcal walked to start, but Kemp and Ethier both got out. Manny's RBI single cut it to 5-4, and Loney's single put two on. Blake then hit an infield single to Stephen Drew, who promptly threw the ball completely away, scoring Manny to tie the game at five.

Jonathan Broxton went through the Diamondbacks in order to start the 10th. Blaine Boyer came in, and DeWitt started things off with a single. Raffy sacrificed him over to second, Kemp was giving the intentional pass, and both men advanced on a passed ball. From there, Ethier singled over Young in center to end it.

It was another roller coaster of a game, as both teams looked like they were from the American League scoring big runs and playing long games. But hopefully not long enough to piss off Joe West. But I digress. It was uncharacteristic for this to happen, but it did.

The Dodgers showed good grit by getting blanked in the first part of the game, then battling back in the second part. Kuroda lasted seven innings for 10 hits, three runs (two earned), no walks, and seven strikeouts. He's known for his pinpoint control, and it showed. Broxton still doesn't have a save (or an opportunity to get one), but at least got his first win.

So now the Giants come to town for three, and they've been fantastic to start the year. Hey, it pains me to say that, but it's true. Vicente Padilla and his 11.42 ERA gets the call in the first game. I still think he can be effective, but now he's got to show it. Let's just hope it starts tonight.