It's Daniel Hudson's world

The Dodgers were just living in it.

Daniel Hudson not only pitched a complete game, but drove in three runs with a homer and two-run single as the Diamondbacks won the rubber match over the Dodgers, 4-1. The Dodgers have now dropped two straight after winning the previous five.

Ted Lilly worked around a leadoff bunt single by Willie Bloomquist in the first, but gave up the game's first run in the second. With one down, Ryan Roberts belted a solo shot, his 12th of the season, for the early 1-0 lead.

The Dodgers had a chance to score in the fifth, but as is usually the case, couldn't get a big hit. Aaron Miles singled to start, and believe it or not, Juan Uribe singled an out later. Rod Barajas was getting his first start since coming off the DL, and he grounded into a force play, which left Lilly to hit with two outs and ground out.

Lilly again fell victim to the gopher ball when Hudson took a high "fastball" (this was Lilly pitching, so I use that term loosely) and lined it over the left field fence for his first career homer.

In the seventh, the Dodgers finally scored a damn run, but that would be it on the day. Matt Kemp singled, and he went to third with one out on James Loney's single. Uribe then had a great at-bat with a foul out to first. You wouldn't expect this worthless, overpriced nobody get a clutch hit now, would you? Because you shouldn't. Anyway, a wild pitch by Hudson brought in Kemp, and it was 2-1.

Down by only a run now, Lilly stayed on in the bottom of the seventh, but soon found himself in trouble. Chris Young singled and went to second on Stephen Drew's sacrifice. Roberts was given the intentional walk, which led to Miguel Montero's groundout to first, advancing both runners. Once again, an intentional walk was issued, this time to Xavier Nady.

Don Mattingly and Kirk Gibson then had some decisions to make. Mattingly gave the ball to Blake Hawksworth, perhaps hoping to get Hudson out of the game. Gibson, however, stuck with Hudson, who delivered a two-run single through the hole between third and short. It figures.

Hudson pitched the last two innings with ease, striking out Miles to put an exclamation mark on his wild day.

I'm sure Mattingly will be questioned about taking Lilly out at that point, but to me the biggest issue was Hawkworth's pitch selection. He threw fastballs either by Hudson or for foul balls. On his two-strike pitch, he went with a breaking ball. He should have just stayed with the heat, because as good a hitter as Hudson is (.359, which is outstanding for a pitcher obviously), I didn't see him getting a hit off the fastball. We'll never know.

Then again, even if Hawksworth got out of that inning unscathed, it wouldn't have mattered. Once again the offense showed the rest of the world just how weak they are. Five hits, no walks, no stolen bases, no nothing. It was just sad. That pretty much sums up their bats as well.

Of course, maybe if they were getting something, ANYTHING, out of Uribe and Rafael Furcal, they'd be winning more. Uribe is hitting .206 with four homers. Raffy is hitting .168 with two extra-base hits. That is just absolutely embarrassing. No wonder guys like Miles and Jamey Carroll have gotten so much playing time.

The Dodgers can only be so patient with these guys, but if things don't turn around, they have to go. Raffy can maybe be traded to a contending team who will role the dice on him. Uribe probably can't be traded, so just release him. I'm serious. I don't care what his contract situation is, just ship him out. He gives the Dodgers absolutely nothing to be excited about. Bring Dee Gordon back up, and get rid of this overrated clown.

Lilly ended up going 6 2/3 innings for four hits, four runs, two walks, and nine strikeouts. He seemed to pitch better than his final line indicates, especially when looking at his K's. After Hawksworth got the final out of the seventh, Kenley Jansen struck out the side in an impressive eighth.

Things won't get any easier for the Dodgers as they will now travel to San Francisco for three. The Giants hold a 3 1/2 game lead in the NL West over the DBacks. Chad Billingsley will take the mound against All-Star Ryan Vogelsong.