Today was a very tense game for such a beautiful afternoon. The Dodgers were able to push across a run, thanks to a pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth inning by Rafael Furcal, and that was enough to win the game and the series against the resurgent Rockies.
Clayton Kershaw was both brilliant and maddening, allowing only one hit in five innings, but also throwing 97 pitches while walking a career-high five batters. Kershaw (52 walks) and Chad Billingsley (51 walks) lead the major leagues in bases on balls this season.
Jason Hammel continued the trend of great Rockies' starting pitching, yet was the hard-luck loser despite giving up only one run in eight innings. Rockies' starters pitched 24 innings, giving up only three runs in the series, yet the Dodgers somehow found a way to win two of three.
Today's win was the Dodgers' 50th of the season. They have yet to play half of their games. Raise your hand if you expected this...OK, you can put it down now, Craig88USC.
We have finally reached the end of the Manny Ramirez suspension. The Dodgers went 29-21 during his absence, well above any reasonable expectation entering play on May 7. The Dodgers have tonight off, then Thursday off, and we begin anew on Friday in San Diego (True Blue LA will be there!). Manny's mere presence will solve all of our recent offensive problems, right? Right?
WP - Ramon Troncoso (2-0): 1 IP, 1 hit
LP - Jason Hammel (5-4): 8 IP, 5 hits, 1 run, 5 strikeouts
Sv - Jonathan Broxton (19): 1 IP, 2 strikeouts