For the second straight time at home, the Dodgers swept the Padres in a three-game series, as they won Wednesday afternoon's game, 4-2. The win also gets the Dodgers to within five games of .500, which seemed almost incomprehensible not very long ago.
The Dodgers got things going in the first. Justin Sellers got another start in the leadoff spot, and he responded with a single. Tony Gwynn also singled as runners were on the corners. Matt Kemp, Mr. Everything for the Dodgers this year, lined an RBI single to left, and it was 1-0. That makes 102 for the season, tied for Prince Fielder for tops in the National League.
In the second, the Padres got that run right back. It could have been worse, as Alberto Gonzalez singled with one out, but was gunned down by Kemp trying to stretch to second. With two outs, Ted Lilly issued walks to Aaron Cunningham and Rob Johnson. Wade LeBlanc found a soft spot in the outfield with a bloop RBI single to tie it up.
The tie would not last long, as the Dodgers played a bit of longball to grab the lead again. James Loney walked leading off, which is something that has just killed the Padres this series. Rod Barajas hit a high fly ball off the foul pole in left for a two-run shot and 3-1 advantage. It was his 15th shot of the season.
Lilly again walked a pair in the third, but this time escaped unharmed thanks to some great defense. With Kyle Blanks on first and Jesus Guzman on third, Orlando Hudson grounded one to Loney. Loney stepped on first for the out, then fired home to get Guzman in a rundown in which he was easily tagged out going back to third. Great play by Loney.
Speaking of Loney, he added to the lead in the fourth. Casey Blake started it with a ground rule double to left. Loney has played like he's been reborn lately, and his RBI single to right made it 4-1. He couldn't get any further because Eugenio Valez shockingly forced him at second on a grounder.
The Padres looked to make a move in the sixth. Guzman singled leading off and was forced at second on Kyle Blanks's grounder. Hudson struck out as Blanks stole second with two outs. Gonzalez then stroked an RBI double to make it 4-2, and went to third on a bad throw back in by Gwynn.
Josh Lindblom just got recalled when Matt Guerrier was placed on the paternity list as his wife is expecting a baby. Lindblom took over for Lilly to get the last out, and he indeed did by striking out Cunningham.
Don Mattingly got some use out of his bullpen the rest of the way, as they held up the two-run lead. Lindblom got an out in the seventh before walking Andy Parrino. Scott Elbert entered and struck out Will Venable. Mike MacDougal then came on to face Lance Forsythe, and he flew out to center for the final out.
MacDougal stayed on to pitch the eighth, and he got through it by only allowing a single to Guzman, who was 3-for-3 with a walk and stolen base. Javy Guerra was given the ball for another save opportunity, and despite a two-out walk to Parrino, got Venable to tap back to him to end the game. That's 13 saves in 14 chances for a 2.08 ERA.
Even though the Padres have been on a destination to nowhere all season long, it was good to see the Dodgers finish this series off with another win. The biggest difference in the Dodgers lately has been that they've played with more energy. It's obvious on both sides of the field that they don't want to finish as cellar dwellers.
There's no doubt that Kemp has led the way, as he continues to show why he's a strong MVP candidate. But there's also guys like Sellers showing his speed and glove, Barajas hitting homers, and Loney finally matching his offense with his defense. That's not even mentioning Andre Ethier's resurgence and Aaron Miles's leadership, as both sat this one out, though Ethier did collect a single pinch-hitting.
The bottom line to all of this is that the reason the Dodgers finished August at a strong 17-11 is because multiple people are chipping in. They could easily sulk and just throw in the towel, but if they can continue playing good ball, they will show the rest of the league why they can be a contender next year. And maybe, just maybe, there can be more talk about happenings on the field instead of always what happens off.
With the homestand over, the Dodgers travel to Pittsburgh for a makeup game. Dana Eveland has been called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to make the start. It's a great opportunity for him to audition for more down the road, as Nathan Eovaldi will be moving to the bullpen after starting on Saturday.
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