The Dodgers won 3-1 Sunday and improved their record to 4-3 on the back of Randy Wolf's great performance. He threw 7 innings and only allowed 2 hits, 2 walks, and 1 run while striking out 5. After 16 consecutive outs, Chad Tracy hit a bloop single to lead off the eigth with the score 2-1 so Hong-Chih Kuo came in and pitched a scoreless frame. In the ninth big, bad Jon Broxton shut the door by throwing a scoreless inning to record his third save of the year. Dan Haren was again a tough-luck loser as he limited the Dodgers to two runs in six innings.
On the offensive side, the Dodgers had six hits and four walks. Their first run came in the second inning because Felipe Lopez (and mostly everyone else) was unaware of the "fourth out rule". Andre Ethier scored from third (without tagging-up) before Lopez tagged Pierre to complete the double play after Randy Wolf lined out. Because the D-Backs walked off the field without ever appealing the play, Ethier's run counted. The next inning James Loney hit a single to score Rafael Furcal. That was all the offensive output until the ninth, when Matt Kemp's double cushioned the Dodgers' lead, making it 3-1. Loney had two hits and Manny Ramirez went 1-2 with two walks, but it was an otherwise quiet day at the plate.
With the off day on Tuesday, James McDonald's next start will be pushed back until next Sunday, April 19th. In the meantime, McDonald will work out of the bullpen. Torre said this was not a demotion, this was going to happen regardless of the outcome of J-Mac's start because of his previous work out of the bullpen during the playoffs. Torre believes Stults is more effective in a starting role. While this is not permanent, it wlll be interesting to see what happens upon Kuroda's return if Stults keeps pitching well. I don't think it would be a bad thing for McDonald to work out of the 'pen for a while; the eventual injuries will come so its not as if he would be done as a starter.
The D-Backs are reeling after two consecutive series losses at home against division rivals. To make matters worse, their ace Brandon Webb was put on the DL today. Hopefully the Cardinals can put some salt in those wounds.
Tomorrow the Dodgers have their home opener at 1:10 PM against the hated Giants, who just got swept in San Diego to drop their record to 2-4. Chad Billingsley will be on the hill against 45 year-old Randy Johnson, who looks like he might be 65. I'm sure the Dodgers will be happy to be home and hopefully this will lead to another series win.