Randy Wolf had one of the greatest individual performances ever by a Los Angeles Dodger pitcher, leading the Dodgers to a 9-3 trouncing of the Diamondbacks to salvage a game in Phoenix. Wolf retired 20 batters in a row at one point, and took a one-hit shutout into the eighth inning. His 10 strikeouts are a new season high.
Wolf was not only the man on the mound for the Dodgers, but he also produced at the plate with three hits and a home run, his first since August 11, 2004. Wolf became just the sixth LA Dodger pitcher ever with at least three hits and a home run:
Pitcher | Date | Hits | HR |
Larry Sherry* | 8/15/59 | 3 | 1 |
Claude Osteen | 5/26/70 | 4 | 1 |
Rick Rhoden | 8/21/77 | 3 | 1 |
Darren Dreifort | 8/8/00 | 3 | 2 |
Kevin Brown | 4/7/02 | 3 | 1 |
Randy Wolf | today | 3 | 1 |
*Sherry did not start |
Andre Ethier was the other offensive star of the day, smacking a three-run home run in the top of the first, on his way to collecting four hits and four RBI on the day.
The top of the order really produced for the Dodgers today. In addition to number three hitter Ethier, leadoff man Matt Kemp and second-place hitter Orlando Hudson each had two hits and two runs scored, and Hudson added a home run himself.
The Dodgers had an up and down week, but ended up 3-3, and at worst lost a half game on their division lead, and gained a game on their lead for a playoff spot. They return home to play the Cardinals and Cubs for seven games. Charlie Haeger makes his Dodger debut Monday night, against Chris Carpenter of the Cardinals.
WP - Randy Wolf (7-6): 7.2 IP, 5 hits, 3 runs, 10 strikeouts
LP - Yusmeiro Petit (2-7): 4 IP, 9 hits, 7 runs, 4 strikeouts