Dodgers Week 16 In Review: Offense Shows Signs Of Life

After four consecutive losing weeks, the Dodgers were in desperate need of a turnaround this week, but after two losses against the Phillies it seemed like this week would follow a similar script of late. But the Dodgers turned things around with a walk-off home run by Matt Kemp on Wednesday, after which manager Don Mattingly said, "You never know if this is going to be the one that starts us rolling in the other direction."

The Dodgers did start rolling in the other direction with a three-game sweep of the Mets in New York, and finally showed signs of life on offense. With 28 runs scored in their four-game winning streak, the Dodgers scored just one fewer run than they had in the previous 10 games combined.

The result was a winning 4-2 week, which allowed the Dodgers to stay a game and a half of San Francisco in the National League West, just like they began the week.

Dodger Batter of the Week: This one was probably decided when Matt Kemp hit a two-run walk-off home run on Wednesday to beat Philadelphia, but Kemp added to the cause with another home run in New York and ended the week with four consecutive multi-hit games.

Honorable mention goes to Juan Rivera, who matched Kemp with two home runs and hit .353 with four runs batted in.

Dodger Pitcher of the Week: In one of the games of the year on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, Clayton Kershaw matched Cliff Lee, allowing one run in eight innings. Kershaw struck out seven and walked none, throwing a career-high 120 pitches.

Honorable mention goes to Stephen Fife, who was a ground ball machine in allowing one run in six innings in his major league debut on Tuesday; and to Josh Wall, who picked up the win in relief in his major league debut on Sunday.

Week 16 Record: 4-2
32 runs scored (5.33 per game)
23 runs allowed (3.83 per game)
.647 pythagorean winning percentage

Season Record: 52-44
374 runs scored (3.90 per game)
360 runs allowed (3.75 per game)
.517 pythagorean winning percentage (50-46)

A Week Of Firsts: On Tuesday, Stephen Fife was called up for a spot start and allowed just one run in six innings against the Phillies in his major league debut. Three days later in New York, shortstop Luis Cruz hit a two-run home run against Johan Santana of the Mets for his first major league home run. Finally on Sunday, Josh Wall pitched a scoreless 11th inning in his MLB debut and even picked up the win for his efforts.

Extra, Extra, Read All About It: The Dodgers heading into the week had not played a game longer than 11 innings all season. So naturally they played a pair of 12-inning games during the week, picking up wins in their series finales against the Phillies and Mets on Wednesday and Sunday respectively.

Transactions:

• Tuesday: Two days after he was scratched from his scheduled start, Chad Billingsley was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation. The Dodgers recalled Stephen Fife, who started Tuesday and made his major league debut, from Triple A Albuquerque.
• Wednesday: After missing four days in Mexico with his father's open heart surgery, Javy Guerra was activated from the bereavement list. Fife, one day after making his debut, was optioned back to Triple A.

Game Results:

• Monday: Phillies 3, Dodgers 2
• Tuesday: Phillies 3, Dodgers 2
• Wednesday: Dodgers 5, Phillies 3 (12)
• Friday: Dodgers 7, Mets 6
• Saturday: Dodgers 8, Mets 5
• Sunday: Dodgers 8, Mets 3 (12)

Upcoming Week: The Dodgers run the Jack Clark Gauntlet, concluding their road trip with stops in St. Louis and San Francisco.

Previous Weeks In Review: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15

Week 16 Stats