Dodgers come back to beat first place Phillies and stay right with Arizona (8/08)
The LA Dodgers are getting close to catching the Diamondbacks for first place. With the addition of Manny Ramirez, the team has been rejuvenated. The team beat the first place Phillies for the second straight night at Dodger Stadium but had to face ace Cole Hamels (pictured below) in the second game of the 4 game series. Hamels had them off stride most of the night mixing in location and changeups to keep the Dodgers off stride. Clayton Kershaw gave up Chase Utley’s 30th Home Run of the season and was taken out losing 3-1. The Dodgers played well defensively with Nomar Garciaparra making some nice plays at shortstop after coming off the DL with James Loney helping dig out a throw as well.
The Dodgers cut the lead to 3-2 before rallying against the Philly bullpen. Chad Durbin gave up the tying run in the 8th and barely escaped going out behind. JC Romero came on to lead off the ninth, which was strange as Russell Martin was leading off. Most managers in today’s game play by the books with pitching strategy especially Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel. However, Manuel took out the right-hander Durbin even though Martin bats righty and had Romero face him instead of leaving Durbin in for one more batter. That backfired as Romero hit Martin with a pitch and eventually gave up a game winning base hit to Andre Ethier.
Matt Kemp let the team with his 3rd consecutive 3 hit game while Casey Blake had one hit and 2 RBI’s. 2 of the other stars of the game were relievers Joe Beimel on his bobble head night and Hong-Chih Kuo who pitched 3 scoreless innings. Jonathon Broxton was unavailable after throwing 33 pitches the night before.
The weather was beautiful for the game, which attracted a crowd of 47,586.
LA kept pace with Arizona for the Western Division Title. Both teams are battling many injury problems as the Diamondbacks just learned that second baseman Orlando Hudson is out for the season. Arizona made a key move acquiring Adam Dunn from the Reds to add some power to the lineup. The team that stays healthiest and is most effective and clutch down the stretch will be in better shape. More info at www.ladodgers.com
