Look out, Kobe Bryant. Andre Ethier is challenging you for the most clutch player in L.A.
After watching Jonathan Broxton go through a blown save in the ninth, Ethier bailed the Dodgers out yet again with a walk-off grand slam, giving the Dodgers a win over the Brewers, 7-3. And mercifully, the sweep has been avoided.
John Ely did everything he could to get his first major league win, as he was awesome. In 6 2/3 innings, he gave up four hits, one run, and struck out seven. He quieted an offense that absolutely creamed Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley. And that was no easy feat.
The Dodgers jumped out to the lead in the first. Xavier Paul, whose status is still in limbo with Manny Ramirez on his way back, led off and walked. He then stole second, and went to third on Matt Kemp's deep flyout to center. A sac-fly RBI by James Loney made it 1-0.
In the second, it was a fielding blunder by Prince Fielder that gave the Dodgers two unearned runs. Jamey Carroll doubled with two outs. Ely then bounced an easy one to third, but for some reason, Fielder pulled up short on the catch, and it bounced inside the dugout. Carroll scored, and Paul then hit an RBI double to plate Ely, and it was 3-0.
Ely was lifted in the seventh after giving up an RBI single to Greg Zaun with two outs. Ronald Belisario uncorked a wild pitch, but got Corey Hart swinging to end it.
Hong-Chih Kuo set the side down with ease in the eighth, and got the ball to Broxton. That's really all the Dodgers were asking - to let Broxton get the win. The formula was simple, but it didn't work.
Ryan Braun and Fielder singled with one down. Casey McGehee then flied out, and all was looking good. Not so fast, as RBI singles by Zaun (who seemed to kill the Dodgers these last three days) and Craig Counsell tied it at three. Broxton still only has one save, and two blown ones.
With LaTroy Hawkins now in the game, Carroll singled to lead off. Garret Anderson pinch-hit, but lined out. Paul continued his great night with a single, and Carroll eventually moved to third on a wild pitch. Matt Kemp drew a walk to load the bases.
It all came down to Ethier, who someone seems to always find himself in these situations. All he needed was a deep fly ball, and he certainly got that, as his grand slam sailed over the center field wall. Another walk-off for Mr. Clutch.
It's just incredible how often this happens for Ethier, who now has 11 walk-offs since 2008. That's easily the most in the majors in that span. The guy has a knack for getting his best swing at the most crucial time possible. The grand slam was also his second this season already.
Ely definitely deserved the win, so that's a shame that it didn't happen. Broxton gave up his first runs of the season, as he's still looking for regular work as a closer. For Joe Torre, the challenge is finding spots to get him in, even without a save on the line. He only has 10 appearances, so his workload needs to increase somehow. He can't just sit for so long and expect to be dominant.
Ethier's slam has given the Dodgers something to feel good about for the first time since Sunday. After looking good against the Pirates, the Brewers really did slap them around for the majority of the series. But, avoiding the sweep was key, and it happened.
Now the Dodgers have the Rockies in town for three. The Rocks have played .500 ball thus far, so they haven't exactly been thrilled with the way they've played either. But, they do have Ubaldo Jimenez going on Sunday, who's been filthy good so far. The Dodgers send Hiroki Kuroda to the mound on Friday.
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