Broxton shuts the door on Rockies 4 - 3

The Dodgers battled back with four runs in the bottom of the 7th to take a four run lead with Kuo/Broxton lined up to bring it home. Unlike last year when Kuo was automatic, for the 2nd game in a row he didn't have it,  and by the time he exited the bases were juiced with only one out.  On Wednesday Night Joe Torre showed he was not afraid to use his closer outside of the box if the situation called for it, so with the bases loaded with one out in the 8th inning he went to Big John Broxton and the results were electrifying. Broxton struck out both Rockies in the eighth to end the threat and followed that up with two more strikeouts in the ninth to preserve the hard fought victory and earn a five out save.

Randy Wolf gave up three quick runs in the 1st inning and then shut down the Rockies on only one hit until Mota took over for him in the seventh. Mota did his job in the seventh and then the offense got off the deck in the bottom of the 7th highlighted by a game winning single from Mark Loretta. The innings started off with Frucal lining a single up the middle followed by a Hudson walk. Manny then ripped a hot shot just past the reach of the 2nd baseman bringing in the first Dodger run. Kemp then followed with a force out plating Hudson with the second run. Andre Ethier then came up and he was due after a tough three at bats against De Le Rosa. He drove an Alan Embree pitch into the left field gap and Kemp beat the throw home to tie the game. After Martin took a called 3rd strike, Loretta blooped his single into left field and the Dodgers had the lead for the 1st time. Broxton made sure that lead stood up with some Gagne like closer work.

The Dodgers are still undefeated at home and thanks to a six game winning streak share 1st place with the suprising Padres who staged their own unlikely comeback against the World Champions. During the winning streak Manny has been held in check so the rest of the lineup has been chipping in to make sure the runs keep flowing.