Dodgers Week 7 in Review: A Taste of the Top

The Dodgers continued their winning ways this week, riding a hot homestand toward the top of the division.  By winning 12 of 13 games at one stretch, the Dodgers tasted the fruits of first place for a couple of days, before falling a game back with a Sunday loss.

Dodger Batter of the Week:  Casey Blake decided to let the beard grow back this week, and the Dodgers reaped the benefits.  Blake came into the week in a seven-for-55 slump, but exploded with 11 hits in 26 at-bats on the homestand, hitting .423/.483/.808 with three home runs, including three separate three-hit games.  Honorable mention goes to Blake DeWitt, with his two doubles and three triples, and Reed Johnson, who had eight hits in 12 at-bats.

Dodger Pitcher of the Week:  Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley each had stellar starts, but this award goes to John Ely, who won both of his starts this week.  Dodger fans were swept up in ElyMania, as he walked just one batter against 11 strikeouts, putting together a 2.77 ERA and 1.74 FIP for the week.

Week 7 Record:  5-2
34 runs scored (4.86 per game)
27 runs allowed (3.86 per game)
.604 pythagorean winning percentage

Season Record:  25-19
224 runs scored (5.09 per game)
211 runs allowed (4.80 per game)
.527 pythagorean winning percentage (23-21)

Relief Hitter:  Pitching in relief of Ramon Ortiz on Wednesday against San Diego, Jeff Weaver got the opportunity to bat in the fourth inning.  Weaver connected for a base hit, becoming the 12th relief pitcher to collect a base hit this season.  However, including Weaver's hit, Dodger pitchers this season have just four singles in 79 at-bats.

None Shall Pass:  For three straight starts, rookie John Ely did not walk a batter.  Since 1952, only Ely and Ross Grimsley (in 1971) have had three starts of six innings or more with no walks in their first four major league games.  Ely had his streak of 89 consecutive batters without a walk snapped on Sunday, but on the season Ely has just four walks (one intentional) against 28 strikeouts.

Triple Triple:  Blake DeWitt did not have an extra-base hit in his first 14 games this season, hitting his first double in Washington on April 23.  However, since then he has 11 extra-base hits in 22 games, including three triples this week.  On Monday, he hit two triples, becoming the 19th Los Angeles Dodger to do so.

Eight is Enough:  In each of the first seven home series this season, the Dodgers won the final game, helping to contribute to their 15-8 home record on the year.  However, after winning the first two games against Detroit in their eighth series at Dodger Stadium this season, the Dodgers lost a home finale for the first time.

Fearsome Foursome:  The Dodgers have struggled to find a quality fifth starter this season, but the first four pitchers in the rotation have found their groove.  The group of Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, and John Ely has a string of ten consecutive quality starts, and all four have ERAs within the range of 3.03 to 3.66 on the season.  The four pitchers have pitched at least six innings in 23 of 32 starts this year.

Everyday Contributor:  When Jamey Carroll was signed this offseason, it was as a utility infielder, who figured to get his most playing time splitting time with Blake DeWitt at second base, at least before Ronnie Belliard was re-signed.  However, with Rafael Furcal on the disabled list for nearly a month, Carroll filled in at shortstop for all but two innings during Furcal's absence.  Carroll started 26 consecutive games, just two short of his career high, set in 2006 while with Colorado.

Remembering Lima Time:  On Sunday, we received the shocking news that former Dodger Jose Lima passed away at the far-too-young age of 37.  Lima will always be remembered fondly for his positive attitude, and for his amazing shutout of the Cardinals in Game 3 of the 2004 NLDS, the Dodgers' first playoff win in 16 seasons.

Transactions: 

• Tuesday:  After fracturing his pinkie during batting practice on May 15, Andre Ethier was placed on the disabled list after it was determined he couldn't swing the bat effectively without pain.  Xavier Paul was recalled from Albuquerque to take his place on the roster.
  

Game Results:

• Monday:  Dodgers 6, Astros 2
• Tuesday:  Dodgers 7, Astros 3
• Wednesday:  Padres 10, Dodgers 5
• Thursday:  Dodgers 5, Padres 1
• Friday:  Dodgers 4, Tigers 1
• Saturday:  Dodgers 6, Tigers 4
• Sunday:  Tigers 6, Dodgers 2

Upcoming Week:  After a Monday off day, the Dodgers begin a stretch that sees them play 16 games in 16 days.  Their six-game road trip begins in Wrigley Field for three games, followed by three more with divisional foe Colorado in Coors Field.

Previous Weeks in Review: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6

Week 7 Stats

*FIP is estimated