Going up against Dan Haren is always a tough task, but the Dodgers held their own tonight. Still, it wasn't enough, as a throwing error by Ramon Troncoso in the bottom of the ninth led to the winning run scoring to give the Diamondbacks a 4-3 win.
Gerrardo Parra led off the ninth with a comebacker to Troncoso, but his throw tailed away from James Loney, allowing Parra to reach second base. A sacrifice bunt put Parra on third base with one out, and Joe Torre elected to walk the bases loaded, hoping for a double play of some sort. However, as is seemingly often the case, having a pitcher intentionally walk two straight batters comes back to haunt him. Troncoso, despite throwing five strikes (including four foul balls and a called ball), walked Mark Reynolds to end the game.
Both teams had back-to-back solo home runs early, including James Loney's 11th home run of the season in the fourth inning. Loney has now tied Willie Davis, with the most home runs in a season without any at home.
Jon Garland, despite giving up the two home runs in the second inning to Miguel Montero and Chris Young, lasted through six innings, allowing three runs, for his second quality start in as many games with the Dodgers.
Its a tough loss, to be sure, the polar opposite of last night's great win. The Rockies, with their comeback win against the Reds, are now 2½ games back in the division. Tomorrow is an off day, followed by a series this weekend in San Francisco. Hiroki Kuroda faces Matt Cain Friday night.
WP - Juan Gutierrez (4-3): 1.2 IP, 2 strikeouts
LP - Ramon Troncoso (4-3): 0.1 IP, 1 unearned run, 3 walks