Dodgers keep pushing away; Penny of DL
The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to hit with power, enough to continue powering up the standings.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 7-2 on the back of two Manny Ramirez home runs. In a series thats well known as a pitcher’s park has been beat up by Manny ever since joining the Dodgers. Ramirez finished with three home runs in the series, and has 14 home runs and 40 runs batted in over 38 games.
The Arizona Diamondbacks continue their losing ways, giving up a 3 1/2 game lead to Los Angeles. Joe Torre has everyone playing together ever since the addition of Manny.
On Thursday, the Dodgers reactivated Brad Penny from the disabled list. Penny was 6-9 before going on the DL with shoulder inflammation. He will initially be used out of the bullpen, making one to two inning appearances.
Dodgers sweep D’Backs, take over first place
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished a strong six game home stand, strong enough to produce a first place record. The Dodgers won all six games during the home stand, sweeping the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks. Los Angeles has now won eight straight.
Sunday they defeated the D’Backs 5-3, Nomar Garciaparra provided the go ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh, and James Looney knocked in three runs as well.
The Dodgers now travel to San Deiego for another set against the Padres. The Dodgers embark upon a 10 game road trip, where they are just 28-40 on the road.
San Diego heads into the series in last place in the NL West, and almost mathematically eliminated. They will try to play the role of spoilers to the LA Dodgers during the series.
Game 1
Greg Maddux (7-11, 4.18 ERA) will face Cha Seung Baek (4-10, 5.36 ERA) in game one. Maddux began the season with San Diego before being traded to LA via waivers.
Game 2
Hiroki Kuroda (8-10) will face of against Wade LeBlanc (0-1) in game two. LeBlanc will be making his second career start, his first was last week against the Dodgers when he lasted just four innings, giving up five earned runs, eight hits and three walks.
Game 3
Derrek Lowe (12-11) goes against Shawn Estes (2-1) on Wednesday. LA is off Thursday before heading to Colorado for a three game series against the Rockies.
Manny Ramirez named NL Player of the Month
Manny Ramirez Los Angeles Dodgers Press Confrence
Earlier today Manny Ramirez was named the NL Player of the Month. This was Manny’s first month with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he has helped bring them back into contention for the NL West. Ramirez was acquired from the Boston Red Sox at the trade dead line in July.
In the month of August, Ramirez hit .415 with nine home runs, and 25 runs batted in. The .415 batting average was the highest single month average of his career.
He had back-to-back four hit games for the first time in his career as well.
The Houston Astros’ Ty Wigginton, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols, the Milwaukee Brewers’ Mike Cameron, the Chicago Cubs’ Mark DeRosa and the Atlanta Braves’ Martin Prado also received votes.
