After two games and 19 runs against the Marlins, the well finally ran dry on Sunday.
The Dodgers left a whopping 16 men on base, and four homers by the Marlins prevented them from being swept by picking up the win, 6-2. With the Giants' loss to the Braves on Sunday night, their lead in the NL West remains at two games.
For the first time in six games, the Dodgers actually prevented the opposing team from scoring in the first, though it sure looked close to happening again. Justin Ruggiano singled and stole second with two outs. Carlos Lee grounded one up the middle that looked like it was going through, but Nick Punto made a great diving stop at second, then threw behind to third to nail Ruggiano in a rundown for the last out.
Punto kept the momentum going with a one-out walk. A single by Matt Kemp put two on. Adrian Gonzalez had a big first at-bat with the Dodgers on Saturday, and he delivered again with an RBI single for the 1-0 lead. Andre Ethier struck out to end the inning, and also ended his hitting streak at 10 straight at-bats.
Aaron Harang got through the opening third of the game unscathed... and then grooved one to some guy named Giancarlo Stanton. Um, not a good idea. His solo shot to dead center tied the game at one. It also gave him a homer in all three games this series.
The long ball again plagued Harang, as the Dodgers lost the lead for good in the fifth. Donovan Solano singled to leadoff the inning. Rod Brantly stepped in and hit his first major league home run, a two-run shot to make it 3-1.
The Dodgers had a perfect chance to strike right back in the bottom half, but came up empty. Shane Victorino and Punto each singled to start. Kemp flew out to center, but Gonzalez took a walk to load the bases. Hanley Ramirez and Ethier, however, failed to get even one run home, so that was that.
After the Dodgers again failed with a couple on in the sixth, the Marlins had the bases loaded and one down in the seventh, but also couldn't score. In the bottom of the frame, Kemp walked against Mike Dunn leading off. Gonzalez ripped a single on an 0-2 count down the right field line, sending Kemp to third. Ramirez struck out again, but Ethier found room on the left side for an RBI single, and it was now 3-2.
Chad Gaudin entered the game to pitch to Luis Cruz, and that's when things got a little weird. Cruz popped on up in front of first, and as Lee was going after it, he made contact with Ethier. After much confusion, Ethier was called out, but Cruz was allowed to resume his at-bat since it was a foul ball. It didn't matter, as he flew to left to end it.
The Marlins tacked on another run in the eighth. With Ronald Belisario in, Greg Dobbs doubled, Brantly walked, and Austin Kearns pinch-hit and did the same. That was enough of Belisario, as Randy Choate came in to pitch to Bryan Petersen. It's safe to say this wasn't Ramirez's finest hour, as his error allowed Dobbs to score to make it 4-2.
The last threat the Dodgers had was in the eighth, but like they did all game long, they failed to really make an impact. Heath Bell started the inning, and Mark Ellis and Victorino each singled with one out. Punto struck out for the second out. Closer Steve Cishek got the ball next and walked Kemp to load 'em up for Gonzalez. It could have been another magical moment, but Gonzalez's deep drive to right was caught near the warning track.
Back-to-back solo homers by Jose Reyes and Lee in the ninth wrapped up the scoring at 6-2.
This game was pretty much your classic case of trying to do too much with runners on. The Dodgers got 11 hits, which were all singles. They also took six walks, all from the top guys in the order. But then you see that Ramirez was hitless and left eight on himself, Ethier left six on, and Kemp and Gonzalez four apiece. It was obvious, too, as there were way too many swings going for it all instead of playing small ball to get runners over and in.
Then again, after the excitement of Gonzalez's arrival and impact on Saturday, it's hard not to get too caught up in the moment and go for the big blow. Let's just hope they find that balance going forward and not leave 16 on base again.
Harang started off well enough, but the two homers were hard to overcome. He went 5 1/3 innings for six hits, three runs, one walk, and four strikeouts. The bullpen didn't do a whole lot better, as Belisario and Shawn Tolleson ran into too much trouble.
The Dodgers will now hit the road for a brief trip for three in Colorado starting Monday. This will start 15 straight games home and away against all four NL West foes. And when the margin of error is so thin, you know these games take on added significance. Josh Beckett will make his Dodger debut in Coors. I'm sure he's thrilled about that!
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