The Dodgers continued their home dominance over the Cardinals with a 4-3 victory to complete a three-game sweep. Combine that with sweeping last year's NLDS, the Cardinals have to be searching for answers.
One day after claiming a close 1-0 win, this game started off looking like a runaway. With one out in the second, Matt Kemp walked, but was gunned out trying to steal second. No need to fear, as Andre Ethier doubled. Manny Ramirez stepped up and had another big at-bat, nailing a two-run homer to center to make it 2-0.
With Clayton Kershaw locked in, the Dodgers tacked on two more in the third. Manny started it with a walk. James Loney then singled, and both runners went to scoring position on Casey Blake's sacrifice. Blake DeWitt then laced a hard single past Albert Pujols to get the lead up to 4-0.
Kershaw made one critical mistake on the night, and it came in the fourth. Aaron Miles led off with a walk, but Pujols flew out. Matt Holliday then drew a walk. Ryan Ludwick is the only one who swung the bat well for the Cards, and it continued with a long three-run shot to left, cutting the lead to 4-3.
That would be it for scoring on this night, as Kershaw shook off the homer to pitch through the seventh. He ended the night giving up four hits, three runs, two walks, and 10 strikeouts, a season high. In 77 2/3 innings, he now has a staggering 90 K's. He's among the league leaders with guys like Adam Wainwright, Tim Lincecum, and Dan Haren. Not a bad list to be a part of.
Ronald Belisario picked up a hold in the eighth by getting the side in order. He's starting to get back on track after a rough first couple of months. In June, he has six appearances for a 1.42 ERA.
Jonathan Broxton then came in for the save, and probably should be thankful that it even happened. One night before, he got Pujols swinging, but that changed tonight with a leadoff single. Holliday and Ryan Ludwick then followed with two flyouts.
Yadier Molina then hit a long drive to center that bounced over the wall for a ground rule double. It was a lucky break, as Pujols was well on his way to tying the game. With a second life, Randy Winn grounded out to Blake to end the game.
The offense did a great job early of cashing in against a good pitcher in Wainwright. Four runs was tied for the most he's given up this season, and five walks was easily the highest. Anytime you do that well against someone like him, it's a big plus.
Manny hasn't been making much of any noise in awhile, but the last two games show why he's still a feared hitter. He hit the game winning double on Tuesday and started the scoring with his home run Wednesday. For the Dodgers to go deeper than they have the last two years, they need Manny being a threat. Maybe these two games is a start.
Right now, the Dodgers are an outstanding 8-2 on the homestand. Great starting pitching, a shutdown closer, and healthier players has been the winning recipe. Soon, Vicente Padilla and George Sherrill will be back, so they'll play key roles as the season goes forward. Business is definitely picking up.
The Dodgers conclude their homestand with a three-game set against the Angels starting Friday. Chad Billingsley hasn't won in a couple of starts, so he'll look to get one in the first game.
No comments:
Post a Comment