Recap: Los Angeles vs. Arizona
Sports Network | September 06, 2008
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Manny Ramirez clubbed a three-run homer off Brandon Webb and drove in five runs to help the Los Angeles Dodgers supplant the Diamondbacks from atop the NL West standings with a 7-2 victory over Arizona. Matt Kemp had two hits and scored a run for the Dodgers, who grabbed sole possession of first place for the first time since April 4th. Russell Martin and Andre Ethier each walked three times and scored a run for Los Angeles, which has won the first two games of this series and seven in a row overall. The Dodgers hold a half-game lead over Arizona. Chad Billingsley (14-10) scattered four hits, struck out nine and walked one over 6 1/3 scoreless innings to get the win. Justin Upton drove in both runs for Arizona, which has dropped nine of its last 12 games. Webb (19-7), who has lost each of his last three starts, failed again in his bid to become the National League's first 20-game winner since 2005. The right-hander was tagged for seven runs on five hits with six strikeouts and a season-high six walks in 5 2/3 innings. Webb wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the third by fanning Ramirez to keep the game scoreless. The two met again in the fifth and, this time, Ramirez delivered the big blow. Angel Berroa singled to begin the inning and Ethier drew a two-out walk. Ramirez then swung at the first pitch he saw from the right-hander and deposited the offering in the right-field seats for a 3-0 lead. The Dodgers erupted for four runs in the sixth. With the bags full and two gone, Martin worked a walk to force in a run. Juan Cruz entered from the Arizona bullpen and promptly walked Ethier to chase home another run. Ramirez followed with a deep fly ball to right that Upton lost in the sun and eventually bounced over the wall for a ground-rule double, increasing the Dodgers' advantage to 7-0. Arizona had a bases-loaded chance in the seventh, but Cory Wade came in from the bullpen and got Upton to ground into a double play to end the inning. Upton's two-run single in the ninth accounted for the final score. Game Notes The NL has not had a 20-game winner since the Cardinals' Chris Carpenter, Astros' Roy Oswalt and Marlins' Dontrelle Willis accomplished the feat in 2005...Billingsley has won five of his last six decisions...The Dodgers left eight men on base, while Arizona stranded six...Arizona's Randy Johnson (10-9) was scheduled to start the series finale on Sunday, but was scratched due to shoulder fatigue. Rookie Max Scherzer (0-2) will make the start in Johnson's place. Clayton Kershaw (2-5) will toe the rubber for Los Angeles. Game Notes The NL has not had a 20-game winner since the Cardinals' Chris Carpenter, Astros' Roy Oswalt and Marlins' Dontrelle Willis accomplished the feat in 2005...Billingsley has won five of his last six decisions...The Dodgers left eight men on base, while Arizona stranded six...Arizona's Randy Johnson (10-9) was scheduled to start the series finale on Sunday, but was scratched due to shoulder fatigue. Rookie Max Scherzer (0-2) will make the start in Johnson's place. Clayton Kershaw (2-5) will toe the rubber for Los Angeles.
