Through the fifth inning, the Dodgers found themselves staring at a 3-0 deficit, facing a pitcher who was absolutely cruising. Marlins' righty Chris Volstad retired 15 of his first 16 batters, with the only blemish being a double from Casey Blake in the third inning.
Starting pitcher Eric Stults threw 96 pitches in his five innings, so his night was done, and the Dodgers would have to go to their bullpen for a long day's work yet again.
This is the point in the story where a team without their best hitter might fold. But not this team.
Casey "The Beard" Blake homered to leadoff the sixth, and was followed by "X-Man Issue One," the first major league home run for Xavier Paul, pinch hitting for Stults. The Dodgers added another run in the sixth, then took the lead with two more runs in the seventh on a two-run single by ex-Marlin Juan Pierre.
Entering the bottom of the ninth with a 6-4 lead, Jonathan Broxton was summoned one day after his 27-pitch blown save the day before. Broxton retired Emilio Bonifacio on a grounder to James Loney, although Bonifacio was ejected arguing that he was safe. On the play, Broxton appeared to injure his hamstring.
However, Broxton stayed in the game and finished the job, although he did allow two baserunners and threw 28 pitches. I'm no expert, but I would guess Broxton won't be available to close out Eric Milton's win on Saturday.
WP: Jeff Weaver (2-0): 1 IP, one walk, one strikeout
LP: Chris Volstad (2-3): 6 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 3 strikeouts