Chris Capuano Flirts With No-Hitter In Win In Miami

Chris Capuano took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, and the Dodgers blew open a close game in the eighth, beating the Marlins 5-0 to capture their three-game series at Marlins Park in Miami.

Capuano walked three and struck out 10, and he didn't allow a hit until Jose Reyes lined a single to center field with one out in the seventh inning. No Marlin reached second base against Capuano in his eight scoreless innings.

It was the fifth double-digit strikeout game of Capuano's career, and second this season.

Capuano even scored a run on Sunday, which for a while looked like it might be the only run of the game.

One day after squandering a pair of bases loaded opportunities in Saturday's loss, the Dodgers found themselves with an ideal scenario in the third inning. Three straight hits loaded the bases with nobody out, with the heart of the batting order due up. But Matt Kemp struck out, Hanley Ramirez flew out, and Andre Ethier grounded out to end the inning with just one run scored.

Luckily for the Dodgers, Capuano was able to make that run hold up until the Dodgers added four runs in the eighth inning.

Wade LeBlanc after loading the bases retired 13 straight, and lasted seven strong innings of his own. LeBlanc allowed just one run on six hits, with no walks and six strikeouts. He entered the game with a 1.50 ERA and it went down to 1.45, as LeBlanc has allowed no more than one run in any appearance this season.

Leading just 1-0 heading into the eighth, the Dodgers exploded for four runs. Here's how.

• Mark Ellis led off with a single, his third hit of the game.
• Kemp followed with a double, his sixth hit of the series and ninth hit of his last four games.
• With runners on second and third, Ramirez singled to left center for two runs, giving him three RBI on the day. Ramirez was 6-for-13 (.462) in his return weekend in Miami with five RBI, and he now has 18 RBI in 17 games with his new club. Ramirez has at least one hit in all eight road games as a Dodger.
  
• After Ramirez advanced to second base on the throw home, Ethier singled home Ramirez to give him RBI in back-to-back games for the first time since July 13-14.
• Luis Cruz doubled home Ethier, giving Cruz 10 doubles and 19 RBI in 31 games as a Dodger.
  

Adam Kennedy, in his first game action since getting activated from the disabled list on Friday, got a single in the ninth inning while pinch hitting for Capuano.

Up Next

The Dodgers head to Pittsburgh for a four-game series against the Pirates. Aaron Harang starts the opener on Monday night, facing Jeff Karstens for Pittsburgh.

Today's Particulars

Home Runs: none

WP - Chris Capuano (11-8): 8 IP, 2 hits, 3 walks, 10 strikeouts

LP - Wade LeBlanc (1-2): 7 IP, 6 hits, 1 run, 4 strikeouts