Gwynn saves bumbling Broxton

If there was such a thing as saves for outfielders, Tony Gwynn would have earned one Friday night.

With the tying run on second and a sharp fly ball hit to left by Nick Hundley, Gwynn made a fantastic diving catch to end the game and seal a win for the Dodgers over the Padres, 3-2. The catch saved more embarrassment from Broxton, who fell apart after getting two outs to open the inning.

The Dodgers got going right away in the first. Jamey Carroll hit leadoff and doubled. Jerry Sands was given his first start in the #2 hole and grounded out, but Carroll went to third. Another groundout by Andre Ethier scored him, and it was 1-0.

Ted Lilly had a great night on the mound, and his only blemish was in the third. Chase Headley doubled to open the inning. Lilly then got called for a balk, so over to third went Headley. Another double by Hundley tied the game at 1.

The Dodgers played longball to open up a two-run lead. First came one by Juan Uribe, who was making his first start since April 22 because of a thigh injury, in the fourth. Looking to get a bigger lead later in the game, Matt Kemp delivered with a solo shot in the seventh, his sixth, making it 3-1.

Now came another tough decision from Don Mattingly in who he would use out of the bullpen. Vicente Padilla has only appeared in three games since coming back from injury, but he was still given the ball to get through the eighth. Padilla got into a little bit of trouble with two walks, but a strikeout and double play ball killed the threat.

So now it was up to Mr. Broxton, who was once again trusted by his manager to get the job done. Once again he started off fine, as Ryan Ludwick struck out and Jorge Cantu grounded out.

And once again, the second one little thing went wrong, everything got all messed up.

Well, it almost got all messed up if it wasn't for Gwynn. With two down, Will Venable singled, and after taking second on fielder's indifference, scored on Orlando Hudson's RBI single. Headley also singled to put runners on the corners. Gwynn was inserted into the game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, and Mattingly's decision to put him into left turned out to be perfect.

Yes, it was a save for Broxton. Yes, I realize he is 6-for-7 in save opportunities. And yes, I fully realize that even the best closers have rough spots, such as Mariano Rivera's two recent blown saves. But I don't care what the stats say, Broxton should not be the lone closer. Mattingly needs to give the ball to other guys at the end of the game. To say that Broxton is still the full-time closer is just blowing smoke at this point. It's not working, plain and simple.

As Padilla gets back into form, he should earn the chance to close games out. Hopefully Hong-Chih Kuo will return to form when he's back, so there's another arm. If Kenley Jansen can gain more consistency, there's another option. All of those guys would be better than Broxton at this. Enough is enough!

But enough about him. Congrats once again go out to Ethier for extending his hitting streak to 25 games with a fifth inning double. The only game he hasn't hit in was April 1, the second game of the season. He's as hot now as he was to start last season.

Kemp's homer ended up being the difference. Just like Ethier, he has really stepped up in big spots this year for a team that doesn't have much power. He's been striking out more lately, but when he has hit, they've made a difference.

Lilly was very sharp. He ended up going six innings for five hits, one run, one walk, and four strikeouts. He looked a whole lot better than his last start against the Cubs. Matt Guerrier pitched scoreless seventh.

Saturday night's start will see Hiroki Kuroda take the mound. Four out of his five starts have been good, so he'll be looking to get his fourth win.