Broxton crumbles again

This is starting to be a weekly headline for the Dodgers.

Asked to keep a 1-1 game as is, Jonathan Broxton walked two consecutive batters with one out in the ninth. Blake Hawksworth couldn't clean up his mess, and the Cubs added three runs to take the win, 4-1. It's basically your latest of example of why Broxton shouldn't pitch anywhere near the ninth inning.

The sad part is that Chad Billingsley's great start was washed away by that bumbling idiot. Not that the offense did anything to help, because they managed to score only one run all night. But it doesn't matter, the story is, and has been since last season, Broxton's inability to pitch under pressure.

Both Billingsley and Ryan Dempster put up blanks through five innings. In the sixth, the Dodgers were first to strike. Jamey Carroll led off with a single, and was sacrificed to second by Jerry Sands. After an out, Matt Kemp delivered on an RBI single to make it 1-0.

Billingsley was rolling along, but unfortunately for him, one mistake is all it took to cost him an opportunity for a win. With one out in the seventh, Carlos Pena hit his first homer of the season. He was signed to provide power in the Cubs' offense, and only has one home run. Of course, it had to happen against the Dodgers, right?

Matt Guerrier got through the eighth after giving up an leadoff single to old Dodger Reed Johnson. It was a good bounceback appearance after suffering a couple beatings lately.

Then there's the ninth inning, and Mr. Broxton. Things started off well when Aramis Ramirez popped out to foul territory. Then the bad came with a walk to Marlon Byrd. And when bad happens to Broxton, it only gets worse. Next was a walk to Pena for two on.

At least Don Mattingly had the presence of mind to take out that buffoon and put in Hawksworth. It almost worked as Alfonso Soriano flied out. But, Geovany Soto hit a two-run double, and Blake DeWitt an RBI single for the 4-1 lead. Carlos Marmol got the Dodgers in order for his eighth save.

To be fair to Broxton (which is really hard to do), the offense was terrible. They managed only six hits and two walks all night. Dempster has been a good pitcher in the past, but by allowing one run in seven innings in this game, his ERA was LOWERED to 8.05. That should put into perspective just how lousy he's been this year.

Billingsley did all he could by going seven innings for four hits, one run, two walks, and eight strikeouts. He was pitching on a tightrope and nearly pulled it off. Then again, even if he didn't surrender Pena's homer, Broxton would've just blown the save anyway, so it really doesn't matter.

I've said this before and I'll say it again: Broxton should not appear in anything that even resembles a close game. Make him the first reliever that appears in games. And if can't handle that, ship his ass out. His teammates can't possibly have any confidence in him, and it's just plain depressing to see him struggle so much.

I know Hong-Chih Kuo looks like a shell of his former self, and guys like Hawksworth, Guerrier, and Vicente Padilla aren't true closers. But who cares? Try them anyway. They can't possibly do worse than the clown they have in there now. Mattingly has got to make the switch. Enough of playing the confidence card - do what's right to help your team win.

The Dodgers will look to get back to .500 with an afternoon game to close the three-game set with the Cubs. Ted Lilly will take on Carlos Zambrano. After the game the Dodgers will fly across the country to play the Mets starting Friday.