Another grinder, another win

In some ways, I see a win like tonight's and last night's as more beneficial to the Dodger cause than a blow out triumph, given their place in the standings.  Sure, a thumping is fun and all, but when you're staring down a dogfight to secure a wild card spot, there's something to be said for bobbing and weaving your way on top.  Securing victory consistent in tone of what lies ahead.  Between the toughness displayed by Jeff Kent, the opportunistic defense of guys like Shea Hillenbrand, James Loney and Raffy Furcal (who turned a double play in traffic that Grady Little described as "one of the best I've ever seen") and Billingsley turning around a rough start, the Dodgers saw plenty to confirm their ability to overcome in-game adversity.  "We've come from behind to win games recently," noted Little.  "It started before we went on that last trip and it's carrying through where we can fall behind in a game and we're starting to get that feeling where we can come back and beat them.  It's a good feeling to have."

Andre Ethier also agreed with how much these knock down-drag outs can reinforce a team's belief in themselves.  "It shows us the way of capable of playing as a team.  It reminds you that you can win close ball games."  A valuable piece of tangible proof, since squeakers are the games the Dodgers will likely be playing in as the nitty turns playoff-esque gritty.  "Pitchers are little more careful where they throw pitches.  Defenses clamps down a little bit more than usual.  That extra run is a key in a game.  It reassures us and it's gonna set us up for what we're going to have to come this month."

Billingsley certainly proved himself able to knuckle down and roll with the punches.  "The first couple innings are always pretty rough for me," admitted the young righty.  "A power pitcher may take a while to get loose, an inning or two or whatever."  He gave serious props to his teammates' glove works, which bailed him out of some tough spots and allowing him to go seven innings after a strenuous opener.  "Double play balls are good for me.  I usually don't too many of them.  It helped me out a lot.  It's fun to watch a lot of defensive plays."  And since all's well that ends well, the kid was able to laugh a little about hitting Austin Kearns and Ryan Church in back-to-back plate appearances.  "A half inning in, to Russ (Martin), I'm like, "Did I just hit two batters in a row?"  He's like, "yeah."

A game similar to how folks have often described my golf swing.  "Ugly but effective."  Well, they all agree on "ugly," if nothing else.

-AK