When a pitching staff features an ace like Brad Penny, a name like Derek Lowe, a 300-pound fire baller like Jonathon Broxton and All-Star closer Takashi "Eric Who?" Saito, it can become easy for hurlers succeeding via workman-like consistency to skirt hoopla.  But those guys indeed make their mark, and it's safe to say this Dodgers squad would have been a heckuva lot worse off without Joe Beimel.  The Blue's best lefty is rarely flashy but typically reliable, an asset that will come in handy during the Dodgers' (hopeful) playoff push.  I caught up with Beimel before the first game of the Washington series, the squad now home from a .500 roadie.  Mind you, this was before the current four-game winning streak, which explains some "losing"-themed questions.  But I imagine Dodger fans would rather the victorious ways continue, context for a few of my questions be damned.  Here's what Beimel had to say:

Andrew Kamenetzky: You guys come back from an important road trip 3-3.  Depending on how you look at the closing window of time, the Dodgers either stood in place or actually lost ground.  Do you feel the urgency growing game by game?

Joe Beimel: Yep.  Definitely.  Every game is important, and when we lose it kinda gets to you a little bit, just because we have a little bit over a month left and we still got some games to make up if we want to make the playoffs.  As far as winning division, that's getting a little bit further and further out of reach every day that we're not gaining ground.  So I think we really have to concentrate on the wild card and just getting in the playoffs.

Big, big, big, big, big, biiiiiiig series going tonight.  Gi-the-hell-normous.  The kind where folks gotta step up and account for themselves.  You got your David Wells taking his second start for the Blue locked in a head to head against Jack Cassel, who's making his second big-league appearance.  Or locked in a head to head against Wil Ledezema, who's tossed a little more on the grand stage.  But no matter which counterpart emerges, if you're looking to get a sense of how big these next three games are for the Dodgers, don't search for clues all over the face of David Wells.  Dude's just not a worry wart.  The lack of stress shouldn't be construed as indifference toward a squad he used to despise.  It's just that he tends to keep it loose before going into battle (and a pokerstars.com cap on his shaved dome).   Of course, if you're one of five dudes on a roster with a World Series ring -- a fishy Brad Penny and Juan Pierre also know the secret handshake --  you've earned the right to get battle-ready any way you damn well please.

Ned Colletti met with the media Wednesday to discuss the signing of Esteban Loaiza.  Interesting stuff on a couple of levels.  Not only does he explain the motivations for bringing in Loaiza, but some of his remarks on the big-picture stuff show his perspective on the current climate for player acquisitions and hint at what we might look for this summer. 

Click below the jump for the Q&A. 

-- BK

An explanation much more face-saving than "we're just not all that good," an explanation that would justify the bad defense and close-out prowess displayed throughout the series, the latest gaffes coming in yesterday's 12-inning 10-9 loss.   The Nationals had more than their chances to win.  Hell, they had a five-run lead going at one point.  But a combination of Dodger scrap and Washington accepting scraps helped the Dodgers continually crawl back from behind and eventually win off Shea Hillenbrand's sacrifice fly.  It was a great day for Hillenbrand, who smacked a homer to help overcome the Dodgers' biggest deficit.  Matt Kemp also hit a long ball and James Loney decorated the box score with four ribbies.  The outcome was enough to turn Jeff Kent into one of those smiling-on-the-inside, granite-face-on-the-outside kinda clowns.  But you don't gotta be all bubbly to set an example, as Kent's shown in spades during the last three games.

If the Dodgers end up making the playoffs -- and that's still a big if -- they'll have to send one hell of a fruit basket to the Washington Nationals.  I'm talking the good stuff, with mangoes, papaya, some nice fresh strawberries and juicy white peaches.  All organic, no pesticides.  And some crackers and wine tossed in.  Why?   Because the Nats did everything they could to keep the Blue in Wednesday's game before eventually bowing in true cellar-dweller fashion, 10-9 in 12 innings.  The biggest Washington favors came in a five-run Dodger sixth that, at least for the time being, tied the game at eight.  With Jeff Kent on second and Luis Gonzalez on first, Nats shortstop Felipe Lopez kicked a grounder from Russell Martin.  Bases loaded.  James Loney followed with a hard ground ball badly misplayed by Robert Fick at first.  Very badly misplayed.  Like he was on roller skates.  The gift double cleared the bases and gave the Dodgers new life. 

The big -- only, really -- news before today's game was the announcement that the Blue have claimed former A's (and Nationals, Yankees, White Sox, Blue Jays, Rangers and Pirates) right-hander Esteban Loaiza off waivers.  No players changing hands.  Oakland is content to let the Dodgers pick up the mil or so owed Loaiza this season and the $6.5 he'll get in '08.  Given the paucity of quality pitchers that will be available this winter and the goony-bird economics of modern sports, it's not a bad move for L.A.  Pricey, but not bad.  Anytime all something costs is money (as opposed to players), there's an upside, and I think the last two seasons have taught everyone that you can't have too many arms.

Loaiza, who will join the team Friday in San Diego and likely start Tuesday in Chicago, is very capable of being very good.  He's also equally capable of imploding.  Hence the career 4.60 ERA.  But his last two starts (Loaiza's only of the season) in O-Town have been very good, and he's likely an upgrade over Eric Stults down the stretch.  Hey, it's not my money, right?

The original title of the John Wayne classic, by the way, until test audiences walked away confused.  But last night's 4-3 win over the Nationals got plenty of high marks from the Ravine faithful.  Chad Billingsley's shaky start signaled another of the kid's "high pitch count/early exit" outings that have been his weakness throughout his young career, but he regrouped and hung around for seven innings.  And keeping in theme with Bill's will, the Dodgers kept finding a way to overcome whatever obstacles were thrown their way.  It helped that the Nationals got all goofy with the mitts, but the victory couldn't have come without some elbow grease.  Case in point, the go-ahead run in the seventh.  It all started with Mark Sweeney, who came through with yet another of the pinch-hits that keep his bread buttered.  The vet was moved to third by a Felipe Lopez error, then touched home courtesy of a sac fly from Andre Ethier, who can handle being all over the place.  That kinda scrap was displayed all night, culminating in a winning box score reminiscent of the philosophy employed by the Evans family on "Good Times."  Scratching and surviving.

It's far too late in the season to concern oneself over any style points that go along with a win.  Good thing, since the Dodgers' 4-3 win over the Nationals contained few, if any.  But that's not about to supply rain on your average Dodger fan's parade, considering the importance of taking (and fingers crossed, sweeping) this series against Washington.  Mission accomplished, however seesaw the battle.  Chad Billingsley struggled mightily during his opening frame, giving up one run, hitting consecutive batters and tossing over twenty pitches before wriggling out of a bases loaded nail biter.  From there, the kid settled down, allowing just two more over the next six innings, but the ugly tone was set.  Natty errors help set up two of the Dodgers four scores (including the Dodgers' go ahead run in the 7th inning).  Save a few sparkling plays by the hometown gloves, weren't much gorgeous entering this box score.   

Not just a candy chew enjoyed by millions of children and adults alike worldwide.  It's also a philosophy currently employed the Dodgers powers that be, signifying how they're both trying to win games right this very second (a perfectly logical plan, since they're in a tight wild card race) and also trying to create a foundation for wins down the road.  "We're trying to win the game tonight and at the same time, we're thinking about the future," admitted Little.  While the Dodger skip conceded that he's often balancing on a tight rope when it comes to trying to meet both goals, he also assured me that the recipe for balance includes many a similar ingredient no matter which side you're thinking about.  "It's real close and that makes it somewhat easier."  Little's also never felt forced to shortchange the future by tailoring the lineup to appease a "present" player, or vice versa.  Bottom line, whomever Little has picked to bat in spots one through eight, "that's a good lineup.  That's the best lineup that gives us a chance to win the game that night." 

 

You know that expression "can't buy a win"?  Well, for Derek Lowe this season, if he had literally shown up at the park with a check made out to Bud Selig, the umps and the opposing manager, it probably would have applied.  Lot of hard losses attached to good performances.  Thus, nobody will begrudge his name attached to a 5-4 win where he didn't quite put his best foot forward.  One where he got away with serving up three -- count 'em, three -- homers.  Down by two runs, the Blue eventually converted themselves into Teflon via a strong sixth inning filled with fortuitous base hits and continuous productivity.  Consecutive singles from Jeff Kent, Andre Ethier, Russell Martin and James Loney opened the frame and accounted for two ribbies.  From there, Ramon Martinez took himself out and took Martin across the plate.

For a while, it looked like the Dodgers were destined to open this home stand against the Nationals in poor fashion.  Derek Lowe's six innings of work included three home runs.  The Blue's two early runs were followed by five goose-egg frames.  A vibe permeating, one that smacked distinctly of a team not jumping all over a struggling squad during a must-win series (much less game).  But then the sixth inning rolled around, along with the fireworks and a smoking 5-4 win.  The action kicked off with Jeff Kent -- he of the iron head/will -- singling, then promptly moving to third after Andre Ethier followed suit.  Deciding this game plan was just crazy enough to work, Russell Martin kept the single train a-running, an act that brought Kent across the plate.  Not to be outdone, James Loney racked a one-bagger, scoring Ethier and putting Martin on third.  Cue Ramon Martinez, who sacrificed his catcher home for the eventual game winner (and believe it or not, his sixth straight box score with a ribbie, tying Matt Kemp for 2007's longest streak).  From there, the unusual combo of Mark Hendrickson and Scott Proctor (filling in for a worked Big Jon Broxton) set up Takashi Saito's 35th save.  Big win, especially considering Arizona's loss, which happened to coincide with a San Diego victory. 

Earlier this season, BK reported how the All-Star closer gave him a pair of his toe-glove socks.  Well, when it comes to handing out goodies, both to folks he knows well and total randoms (like, say, BK and me), Saito's a pretty generous fella.  While I hung out in the clubhouse before Grady Little talked to us writerly folk, Saito surprised team travel manager Scott Akasaki (who doubles as Sammy's interpreter) with a blue Dodgers glove, featuring an "Akasaki" stitched by the thumb in Japanese characters.  Akaskai was pretty stoked by the mitt, gladly accepting a fist bump from an obviously pleased Saito.  "Nice," said the closer with an ear-to-ear grin. 

About 10 minutes later, Saito was walking around handing out Japanese pastries to players and media members.  Seems a fan from Sendai, Saito's hometown, mailed him a care package.  I shared one with another Times writer, and I gotta say, pretty good stuff.  Sponge cake outside with a citrus-orange custard inside.  Kind of an exotic Twinkie, but not too sugary or sweet.  If you happen to be in Sendai looking to satisfy a dessert fix, I'd recommend giving them a whirl.  From what I was told, various cities in Japan are known for their specific sweets and these put Sendai on the map, so it'll probably be relatively easy to find them.  Tell them AK from Blue Notes sent you.  The delightfully confused look you'll receive in return is worth the price of the pastry you won't be getting for free. 

When the Dodgers brought David Wells into the fold, the collective reaction was that the Dodgers were scraping beneath the barrel's bottom.  No disrespect to Boomer, who's certainly had a terrific career, but at 44 and coming off a poor (and waived) season in San Diego, how much could he really help?  Well, if last night's 6-2 win over the Mets means anything, the answer might be "at least a little." 

Coming off a 19-day surf 'n' golf vakay, Wells took the ball in a blinding spotlight game and gave the Dodgers a quality, if short, outing.  Five innings, two runs, one bases-loaded jam averted.  But Wells' real highlight came in the fifth inning when big fella shocked the world by beating out a frame-opening bunt.  Once his teammates picked their jaws off the ground (Raffy Furcal in particular was impressed), they converted the pitcher's good play into a two-run rally.  Timely hits from Luis Gonzalez and Ramon Martinez also made the difference.  The Blue also benefited from some poor Mets base running, which cost their opponents a minimum of one run, maybe more.  As for the man of the hour, his performance was exaltation-worthy enough that Grady Little might consider moving Wells up in the rotation.   Were that the case, you'll see his moniker in a box score a little more often.

A trend, by the way, that the Dodgers will not be looking to further test its validity.  No word yet on Kent's condition after taking one in the noggin from John Maine, but fingers crossed he'll just wake up tomorrow with a bad headache and nothing more.  Kent's melon provided the only downside during tonight's badly needed 6-2 win over the Mets.  David Wells' debut as a Dodger went off without a hitch.  In addition to tossing a solid five innings of two-run ball, Wells was a terror on the base paths.  Well, not so much "terror" as "hilariously lumbering," but Wells' fifth-inning bunt single nonetheless sparked a two-run rally that permanently put New York in the Blue's rear-view mirror.  Juan Pierre and Matt Kemp were each good for a pair of ribbies, and Luis Gonzalez got one of his own with a sixth-inning pinch-hit single.  Ramon Martinez also deserves props for his handling of bidness taking over for the hopefully un-concussed Kent.  The hot-of-this-week utility man laced a double into center in his first at-bat, accounting for the Dodgers' other RBI.

There was a small seventh-inning scare after Joe Beimel put men on first and third with only one out (a situation brought on in large part by a throwing error from Shea Hillenbrand).  But Big Jon Broxton cleaned up the mess, Taskashi Saito sealed the deal and the Dodgers go back to the City of Angels with a winning box score in their pocket.

Now there's a result worth an earful of Joe Morgan.  Assuming that's not a regular thing, of course.  Then it becomes more of a "how much Blue do you bleed" toss-up?

-- AK

NOW UPDATED WITH MORE GAME LINKS AND THIS CLASSY LOOKIN' PHOTO!

Before the start of this week's road trip, I wrote that if the Dodgers didn't at least play .500 ball over the six games in Philly and New York, they'd potentially play themselves out of a realistic shot at the postseason.  Well, after this afternoon's 4-3 loss to the Mets, L.A. will need a win Sunday to split the sextet.  Eric Stults, who flirted with major trouble in the first (walked the bases loaded, escaped unscathed) and third (three hits and a stolen base get New York only one run), found it it the fifth, when Carlos Delgado singled home two with the bases loaded, giving the Mets a 3-0 lead.  The Blue, who had no O early against Orlando Hernandez, got homers from Luis Gonzalez, an increasingly rare thing, and Russell Martin in the seventh to make it a one-run game.  Unfortunately, L.A.'s Hernandez -- that would be Roberto (there will be those who will question why he was in there when the guy whom he relieved, Rudy Seanez, had thrown only 15 pitches) -- was touched for a run in the bottom half.  The Blue were given a charity run in the eighth and put the tying run on in the ninth ... but didn't get it done, much to the chagrin of Grady Little. 

Technically speaking, Sunday's series finale isn't a must win.  But "technically speaking" and "practically speaking" aren't the same thing.  David Wells will take the ball (chucking to Bigfoot -- and rarely seen -- Mike Lieberthal) and make his Blue debut. He'll face John Maine (13-7, 3.64) for New York. 

-- BK

Sinatra said if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere.  After one game of their critical three game set against the Mets, it's not all that clear the Blue can do either.  In their 5-2 loss to the Mets on Friday, the Dodgers got in touch with their old school (you know, like two weeks ago) roots, leaving runners on base and missing opportunities to put New York's feet to the fire.  Honestly, they could have made Mr. Met cry his giant baseball head off.  But no.  The tone was set in the first, when the Dodgers loaded the bases against lefty Oliver Perez, but did no damage on the scoreboard.  It was a theme that would play out more than once over the night.  Not a good sign for Brad Penny, who has struggled mightily pitching in New York over his career.  He wasn't Cy Young impressive, but had the aforementioned missed opps been converted, we might be talking about his 15th win instead of his fourth loss.  Back to those ugly numbers again:  12 left on, 1-9 with runners in scoring position.  Granted, a couple stellar plays from Mets 3B David Wright- the box shows his bat came in handy, too-didn't help, but still, that ain't good.   

Costly as well.  The loss dropped L.A. 3.5 games behind San Diego in the Wild Card race.   

The signing of lefty David Wells was made official today.  No shock there.  Wondering what would happen to Brett Tomko, the guy Wells will replace in the L.A. rotation?  You have your answer.  The Blue designated Tomko for assignment, cutting ties with the righthander.  I'm sure most of you will be wearing black in some form as an expression of mourning. 

Press release below the jump.

BK

Those concerned that the Dodgers would follow up their Wednesday night fireworks with a dud Roman candle saw their worst fears turn out to be nothing but wasted stress.  One could be forgiven for not seeing the 5-2 win coming, especially considering the odd "James Loney and Andre Ethier sitting after a three ribbie nights" lineup.  And for a while, it did appear that the Dodger's 1-9 was deprived of some necessary juice, putting up just one run in six innings and being kept in the game purely by Chad Billingsley's command.   Perhaps inspired by the words of a rotation vet, Bills held the Phils to one run and four hits, entering seven strikeouts into the box score for good measure.  And after he finished his seventh and final inning, the Dodger O finally showed it's appreciation by kicking into overdrive.  That same frame's bottom featured Juan Pierre bringing Ramon Martinez across the plate to break the 1-1 tie.  The eighth featured the icing's cake, ribbies from Jeff Kent and super-sub Martinez that put the game out of Philadelphia's reach.  First place in the NL West is also out of the Dodgers' reach, but the wild card is brushing against the Blue's outstretched fingertips.

Looks like the Dodgers have reached a deal with David Wells.  He'll, at least in theory, start on Sunday against New York.  No word as of yet on the corresponding roster move.  Just guessing, but they might option Stults after his start on Saturday to make room, then bring him back once rosters expand. 

Can't say I'm confident Wells will actually pitch well, but on the other hand he'll struggle to be worse than Brett Tomko, and the guy does have a history of clutch performances.  Granted, at 44, history may be the operative word in that sentence.

BK

After a frustrating loss in the first game of the set, the Blue capped off a much-needed series win in Philadelphia with a 5-2 win Thursday afternoon.  Much needed.  Like fish need water, like plants need air, like Paris needs attention.  That it came courtesy of a non-Derek Lowe or Brad Penny arm is a bonus.  Chad Billingsley ran through the Phillies lineup with Prius-like efficiency, allowing only one run on four hits.  Best of all?  It took only 93 pitches to get it done.  Often, that's barely enough to get Billingsley through four.   Offensively, Grady Little started the day with Andre Ethier and James Loney on the pine- odd to say the least- but the Blue managed to scrape out some runs (in part because Loney entered the game for Shea Hillenbrand in the sixth, and would eventually participate in an eighth inning rally).  Big hits from Juan Pierre, Ramon Martinez (dude has done gone and made himself clutch), and Jeff Kent. 

The only negative (aside Gonzo's godawful 0-4 leaving a total of seven runners on base) was the end of Jonathan Broxton's club record streak of consecutive innings without allowing a homer.  Tad Iguchi took him yard in the eighth, ending the run at 96 2/3 IP.  Oh well.  More on the game tomorrow. 

BK

How often does that happen?  But excess is exactly what the Dodgers had in Wednesday's 15-3 win in Philadelphia.  It was, as you might suspect, a very good day to be a bat-totin' Dodger (again, not something that happens all the time).  Young or old, rich or slightly less rich, the box shows everyone got to be part of the fun.  Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier had monster days (six hits, five RBI) surrounding Jeff Kent (two long doubles, two RBI).  Rafael Furcal and Juan Pierre combined for six hits and six runs at the top of the order, and James Loney had two hits and three RBI near the bottom.  Heck, Ramon Martinez had a pair of ribbies, with only one official AB and no hits.  It was that kind of day, as the Blue took advantage of the absence of Philly ace Cole Hamels.  It was a season high for runs, five more than the Dodgers scored during the roadie to Cincinnati and St. Louis.  It must have felt odd to Derek Lowe, who nonetheless held up his end of the bargain, tossing seven solid innings for the win.  No surprise that Lowe (or Penny) came through.  The other guys?  More of a problem.

That's the type of good-wood display the Dodgers put on during tonight's 15-3 route of the Phillies.  Eighteen hits in all.  More starters with two hits or more than without, the ultimate honors going to Matt Kemp's quartet of knocks.  In fact, Russell Martin was the only starter to go "0-fer," but he still managed a ribbie after Jose Mesa pegged him in the thigh with the bases full.   Raffy Furcal scored four times.  Andre Ethier and James Loney drove in three apiece.  All in all, the biggest Blue box score on the season, a big-time win for a team in need of as many as it can get down the stretch.

For his part, Derek Lowe did the hippy-hippy shake all over Philadelphia, putting aside concerns over his illin' mid-section.  Save one slider hung too long and thumped into the stands by Chris Coste, Lowe's opportunities offered to the bad guys were few and far between.  The ground balls he induced equaled the Dodgers' run tally, exactly what you'd want from a cat whose bread and butter is a sinker.  Scott Proctor's and Roberto Hernandez's combined relief efforts were flawless, but it didn't really matter since the game had entered a stage I often called "Hamulack proof" last season.  That fella ain't around this season, but the principle remains.  You could have put anyone from Bea Arthur to BK on the hill and it wouldn't have jeopardized the lead.   

The Dodgers could use more games like that.

-- AK

The Dodgers weren't particularly active at either trade deadline- waiver and non-waiver- this season.  But one guy they did bring in was left-handed pinch hitting specialist Mark Sweeney.  Only Lenny Harris has more pinch hits than Sweeney over the course of a career, so the dude has quite a resume in this extremely difficult baseball specialty.  It's hard enough to get a hit off of Major League pitchers.  To step off the bench, often against the best set up men and closers, and perform isn't exactly a piece of cake, but Sweeney has managed to carve out a 13 season career doing just that.  He's played for seven teams, including San Diego three times, and has never had more than 259 ABs in a year.  Fair to say he's found his niche.  I had a chance to talk with him during the last homestand.  Click below the jump for the audio, and some quote pulls for those of you who prefer text. 

BK 

That would apply to a couple things in Tuesday night's 5-4 loss in Philadelphia.  First, it was no way to begin a crucial six-game trip that could break the Dodgers' season.  Second, it wasn't a good night -- again -- for Brett Tomko, who managed to roll through two innings before the wheels started falling off, squandering a lead his mates had built off Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick.  Tomko didn't escape the fifth, and only some A+ relief work from Mark Hendrickson kept his line from being worse.  When it was over, the Dodgers found themselves deeper in the crowd for the wild card, and questioning Tomko's role in the rotation.  While "we don't have a whole lot of choices" often explains how we manage to keep our jobs, it's not exactly a ringing endorsement of a pitcher's performance.  But that's exactly what Grady Little said after the game about Tomko's role.  That Ned Colletti was in Jacksonville looking at James MacDonald isn't a vote of confidence, either.  Even if the rest of us don't, Tomko says he still believes in himself.  It's just a matter of execution (no, not that kind). 

However they do it, quality alternatives or not, it's pretty clear the Dodgers can't keep trotting out Tomko every fifth day.

Tomko pitching: Not so much.

In what's become a familiar scene for the Dodgers this season, Brett Tomko's starting effort resulted in a loss.  More specifically, a 5-4 loss to the Phillies.  Tomko worked the first pair of innings with the utmost proficiency.  Can't do much better than six up, six down.  Plus, his boys spotted him a 2-0 lead from the jump, thanks to first-inning ribbies from Andre Ethier and Luis Gonzalez.  Russell Martin hit a solo shot an inning later.  Thus, Tomko certainly had a shot at sitting in the proverbial catbird seat.  But the righty's Achilles' heel has been putting together complete performances, and tonight was no exception.  Third inning rolls around.  Two hits and a sacrifice later, the Phils are down 3-2.  The fourth inning compounded Tomko's issues after he served up a two-run jack to Aaron Rowand.  During the fifth, Tomko walked in a bases-loaded run and left the bags stuffed for Mark Hendrickson.  Thankfully, the Lanky Left came through without a scratch.  James Loney got the Blue close with a seventh-inning solo shot.  But alas, too little, too late for the box score.

And for Tomko, now 2-11 on the season.  Look for his art work to take on a more melancholy theme these days.

-- AK

The Dodgers kick off the first of a long string of (mostly) road games tonight in Philadelphia.  In the large picture, this 19-game stretch -- 16 coming away from Los Angeles -- will likely determine whether or not late-September games at the Ravine will have playoff implications that extend beyond fantasy ball.  But even more immediate are the upcoming six games.  With a rather large crowd gathering around the NL wild card, the Blue can't afford to give up any ground and put more teams between them and the postseason.  They have to stay confident and believe.  Believe!  Maybe put that on a T-shirt or something.  So there's a lot riding on Brett Tomko's shoulders as he takes the mound.  And should he need advice on where to grab a bite when it's over, he can ask Mike Lieberthal, returning to Philly for the first time in another uniform.

Juan Pierre is now used to the uni he'll be wearing for a while.  He's also used to criticism of his game. It's harder to be critical of Russell Martin's nomination for the Hank Aaron Award.  Or despite the fact that it hurts the Dodgers, Brandon Webb's Drysdale-esque run of scoreless innings.

The Dodgers have managed to step away from the cliff and put themselves back into the National League playoff race.  Yeah, the division looks like a tall order, but the wild card certainly is a possibility.  The bad news is the Blue have a fairly brutal schedule between now and the end of the regular season.  Only three series against teams with losing records, two of those coming against the San Francisco Barrys, where you can just throw out all the records!  It's a rivalry, baby!  Wooo!  The good news?  That they're playing good teams means plenty of opportunities against the squads they'll have to outduel to make the playoffs.   Six against San Diego.  Six against Colorado.  Six against Arizona (thought I'd throw that in for those of you who still think the division title is a realistic option).  They also get four against Chicago, which is in theory still a team the Dodgers might have to best for the W.C., though the way Milwaukee is playing, probably not. 

But none of that will likely matter if the Dodgers don't come up big over their next six games in Philadelphia and New York, starting tomorrow night in Philly.  They can't win the wild card there, but they can certainly lose it.

There are too many games left to say definitively that if Ramon Martinez hadn't singled home two runs in the eighth to put the Dodgers ahead in what would become a 4-3 win over Colorado on Sunday afternoon that, at least as far as the '07 season is concerned, they'd have been dead men walking.  Fortunately, we'll never know.  Heading into a brutal road stretch against teams they are chasing in the NL West or the wild card, Martinez undid the damage caused by Scott Proctor in the top half of the eighth when the righty coughed up a two-run bomb to Todd Helton.  That gave Colorado a 3-2 lead, and had Dodger fans pining for the Matt Herges era.  Proctor got the win, but it was a short-rest Brad Penny (along with Joe Beimel and Takashi Saito) who did the heavy lifting on the mound.  Offensively, beyond Martinez, who also had an RBI single in the second, the box shows the Blue got production from Russell Martin.  That he played well wasn't a surprise.  That he was in the lineup after Saturday's marathon game was, at least to some.

Jonathan Broxton had the day off, as did Roberto Hernandez.  Maybe that let the two talk a little more shop.  If Rudy Seanez doesn't pitch beyond this season, he's crammed a lot of appearances into it.

.180 never looked so good.

With the Dodgers staring down the rabbit hole Sunday afternoon, Ramon Martinez may have very well saved their wild-card hopes, or at the very least gave them a major boost, coming up large in L.A.'s 4-3 win over the Rockies.  Already having singled home Andre Ethier in the bottom of the second, Martinez got all glory hungry in the eighth when he knocked home two with a clutch single to center.  This after Scott Proctor had given away the Dodger lead in the top half of the inning on a two-run bomb from Todd Helton that escaped the Ravine so fast it looked shot out of a cannon.  Things looked ugly.  Fathers grumbled.  Children wept ... until Ramon!  Martinez even made a winner out of Proctor.  That's nice.  Takashi Saito got the save, and Brad Penny, pitching on three days rest for the first time in his career, went five innings and allowed only one run.

With the win, the Dodgers jumped back over the Rockies in the West and the wild card, and are now only 2.5 games out of a playoff spot.  Big, big, big win.  More on the game tomorrow.

-- BK

Given that I just left this place about 11 hours ago, we're going to have to combine the morning news post with the pre-game update.  First, a recap of last night's 7-4, 14-inning loss to Colorado:  It was very long, very frustrating and the Dodgers failed to capitalize on a juicy chance to gain a game in the wild card after Colorado let them back into the game late.  Moving along ...

Brad Penny will go on short rest today, in what has quickly become an extremely important game.  And it would be nice if he pitched well, given that the Dodgers' bullpen got a major workout last night.  "We're taking inventory," a sleepy-looking Grady Little said before the game.  "There's certainly a possibility that a couple won't be available.  Probably Broxton and Bobby Hernandez for sure."  That opens the door for a return to the mound for James Loney.  "I've got my one-tone glove ready," the onetime hurler said before heading past the manager's office pointing to his left arm.  Little wasn't biting.  "Loney's not quite ready," he said, smiling.  Eric Stults will hold off on throwing his bullpen session on the odd chance he's needed, and Brett Tomko would be your "break glass in case of emergency" hurler. 

Like I said, it's a good day for Penny to go nine. 

Except for sportswriters on a Saturday night with a Sunday day game to follow, but I digress.

For nigh on a month, the Blue struggled mightily to score runs and lost a bunch of games.  Then came this week's three-game winning streak, with its (relative) smorgasbord of offense, and a wave of optimism that had Dodger fans hoping the ship had been righted.  They are not quite clearing their calendars of all early October obligations, but maybe entertaining the idea.  Or entertaining the idea of entertaining the idea.  For eight innings of Saturday night's epic 7-4 loss to Colorado, those same fans were having flashbacks to those ugly days of yore.  You know, like Tuesday.  Or Monday.  Or Sunday.  Etc.  Then came the eighth, when Colorado opened the door to a Dodgers rally with a Garrett Atkins error, and as they've done for the last three games, the Blue walked through, scoring two and tying up the game at four. 

Since we've all seen the lose-a-demoralizing-amount-of-games-then-rip-off-a-massive-win-streak act before (or have you forgotten last season already?), it's tempting to believe the Blue are on their way to a repeat act right now.  They're already taken care of the losing part, and now having won three in a row looked primed to make a run.   As the always sage-like Jeff Kent pointed out, we'll ask why the team seems dead in the water, "the you wait a couple days and it's "Why? Why?" on the good side."  True enough.  With the bulk of their games against the teams they're chasing in the West and the Wild Card, the Dodgers don't have much choice but to rip off an '06esque string of excellence.  With that in mind, Brad Penny volunteered to pitch tomorrow on three days rest.  "We're running out of time, you know?" he said.  "I feel good enough to pitch and make a difference.  I'm going to go out there and try to make pitches and treat it like a regular start.  Whatever part I can do to help the team I'm going to go out and do." Download brad_penny_8.18 on Sunday start.mp3    

Need a blond lefthanded pitcher for a overpowering performance in Chavez Ravine?  You call up Eric Stults.  Or that would appear to be the case in last night's 6-4 win over the Rockies, the Dodgers' third straight triumph.  Take away a few third inning hiccups that resulted in a pair of Colorado runs and Stults was more or less unhittable.  Just ask the nine cats he struck out over the course of seven innings.  They didn't make much contact with the ball.  Of course, those Rockies aren't Triple A players, so it's a little easier for the young southpaw, whose war room session with Russell Martin can only be described as a success.  Stults also got a huge lift from a fruitful bottom of the second, when Jeff Kent kicked things off with a homer.   Following the lead of a veteran player, Kent's teammates tallied another four run, capped by Juan Pierre's two-ribbie single. Them Blue box scores are looking mighty purtier of late, especially when they lead to a climb into third place.

Wow.  I'm really having trouble getting away from the bad puns.  Baseball season is long.  Anyway, the Dodgers got a huge lift from recently re-promoted lefty Eric Stults, who aced his first test as the newest member of the Dodgers starting staff in L.A.'s 6-4 win over the Rockies Friday night at the Ravine.  Dude went seven strong, giving up only two runs and striking out Colorado hitters nine times.  (Nine times?  Nine. Times.)  Take away a hiccup in the third, when Colorado scored both their runs on two hits and a walk, and Stults was dominant.  Offensively, the Blue were lifted by Juan Pierre's two hits, two RBIs, and single stolen base (slacker). Jeff Kent kicked off the scoring with a second inning homer, and Mark Sweeney brought Pierre home in the seventh with a two-out single.  Timely hitting with runners in scoring position.  Suddenly, the Dodgers actually have that in the bag 'o tricks.  Much, much more constructive than the alternative. 

With the win, the Blue gained a game on the Padres in the Wild Card, after Houston knocked off the Friars in San Diego.  They're still behind the Phillies and Braves as well, but jumped over Colorado.  Baby steps.  More on the game tomorrow.

BK  

Eggplants.  Flowers.  About three-quarters of Prince's wardrobe.  The flag of Tokyo Prefecture.  Grimace.

Matt Kemp's right knee. 

His collision with the right field wall on Wednesday left Kemp limping noticeably during last night's game, and as he walked through the clubhouse today I noticed that the knee, like AK after a particularly robust workout, is all swolled up.  Kemp told me he was fine, but Grady Little is going to hold him out of the lineup tonight.  "He's available, but we're going to give it a day or so.  It doesn't bother him, he says, but it sure is ugly," Little said.  "We feel like he'll be back in there either tomorrow or Sunday for sure.   He says he can play, but we're going to wait a day or two."  Sounds like he'll be fine in a jiffy.  Good thing, too, since this is an important series to say the least.      

Bit of an overstatement, for sure, but given the recent back story and struggles, two straight wins, like last night's 6-2 victory over the Astros, becomes the stuff that prompts chest puffing.  And don't hate Derek Lowe if he tries to make up for some lost crowing opportunities.  His dominating seven innings' worth of induced groundballs and goose eggs must have felt like water after wandering lost through the desert for years.  At least since June 22, the last time Lowe got a win.   It's also been a while since Cap Anson, Al Oliver or Frank Robinson hit a double, which made it somewhat easier for Jeff Kent's triple-double of sorts to pass those three on the all-time list.  The two-baggers were also good for a pair of ribbies, matching Raffy Furcal's contribution to the box score.   Will new folks be around to add their two cents in the very near future? If Ned Colletti can find a suitable candidate, sure.  Especially since the theoretical addition won't cost the Dodger GM a coveted prospect, for better or for worse.

Before the game, Derek Lowe caught sight of his 8-11 record on the giant outfield scoreboard, and noted it had been a little while since he'd won a game.  After Thursday's 6-2 win over the Astros, he's got one less thing to worry about.  Lowe cruised through seven scoreless innings, grinding Houston into the dirt by getting them to do the same, inducing 16 outs via the worm burner versus only two through the air.  Perhaps even more surprising for the hard luck righty, he received plenty of help.  First, from the Dodgers offense, led by Jeff Kent and his three doubles, tying a career high and pushing him past Frank Robinson and Al Oliver to 29th on the all time list with 530.  Rafael Furcal pitched in with a pair of hits and two RBIs.  But Lowe also will need to add the Astros to his Christmas list, since they kicked in (literally) with three errors that accounted for two unearned Blue runs.  Hey, there's a reason only two teams in baseball have won fewer roadies than Houston.

Oh, and the garlic was back under the bench.  Two games, two wins, two night's of garlic.   

Most teams have various forms of entertainment squirreled away around the clubhouse.  The Dodgers, having what can only be described as, at least relative to the rest of baseball, ancient facilities, are no exception.  Guys might watch TV or listen to music.  They also have at their disposal one of those old school video game machines that includes the classic "Track and Field".  Anyone who grew up as an arcade rat (or with a Nintendo) likely remembers it well.  Russell Martin (specializes in the hammer throw) spends a lot of time on it, along with Billingsley and Broxton.  I asked Martin who was the T&F king.  "Lieberthal and Martinez are the best," he replied.  Makes sense.  Old school game, old school players.  Lieberthal acknowledged his prowess.  Nobody on the team runs faster, he said, moving the index and middle fingers of his right hand rapidly up and down (if you've played the game, you know why that matters).  "Quick twitch."  Still, in Track and Field as in baseball, it's hard to stay on top forever.  The young 'uns, Lieberthal says, "are catching up because they play so much." 

Not to sound dramatic, but considering the Dodgers are 6.5 games behind the Arizona D-Backs as it is and every team ahead of them in the NL West team chalked up "W's," it's safe to say last night's 6-3 win against the Houston Astros, the first victory in five days, falls into the category of "pretty damn necessary."  And speaking of "pretty damn necessary," the Dodgers figured out that if they want to put some numbers on the board, you gotta keep third base coach Rich Donnelly somewhat busy.  Like Juan Pierre and Matt Kemp did in the seventh inning as part of a two out rally that began with Raffy Furcal's hard fought double.  Then again, one can always cut to the RBI chase and put the ball over the wall, Russell Martin's twice preferred method of T.C.B. (and an extension of his general owning of Jason Jennings).  Throw in some solid (if occasionally shaky) starting tosses from Brad Penny and it's a formula just crazy enough to bring some happiness to a box score.  To a clubhouse as well, a room with a recent collective temperature north of "testy." 

If there aren't two cloves of garlic under the bench at tomorrow night's game, one unpeeled, one peeled with a skin located in close proximity, Dodger fans ought to storm the Ravine with pitchforks and torches.  Because not only were there no vampire attacks during L.A.'s 6-3 win over the Astros Wednesday night, there was a (bench garlic induced?) 6-3 win over the Astros Wednesday night.  You read that correctly.  A win!  Six runs!  But wait, there's more!  Try two home runs and three RBIs, courtesy of Russell Martin.  Three hits and two stolen bases from the red-hot-since-his-demotion Juan Pierre.  A pair of hits, a run scored, and an RBI from Matt Kemp.  A win for Brad Penny, the first by a Dodger starter since July of 1973.  But the most encouraging sign might have come in the seventh, when the Dodgers tacked on two insurance runs, both with two outs, both coming off hits with runners in scoring position after Rafael Furcal got things started with a double.  It doesn't sound like much, but two knocks with RISP basically equals L.A.'s output for August.

As we finished up the pregame confab this afternoon, one of the crack media members- we see everything- noticed two lonely cloves of garlic under the Dodgers bench.  One peeled, one unpeeled, both whole, with the skin of the peeled clove sitting a little further down the pine.   Not sure if this is someone's idea of a good luck charm or the efforts of a player, coach, or team staffer particularly concerned about vampires.  Grady didn't have any explanation, but given their current woes, can you blame the Blue for protecting themselves against all possible worst case scenarios?  (By the way, at this point the opportunity to make cheap vampire-related jokes at the team's expense- they only feed on the living, they've sucked the offense out of the Dodgers already, etc.- are apparent, but I'm going to hold off.) 

Setting questions of the sharp-toothed, blood-drinking, sun haters aside for the moment, I can report that the needle has buried on the frustration-o-meter.  There was more than a little grumbling inside the clubhouse when the notebook toting vultures (that would be us) asked Mark Sweeney about his gaffe last night that ended the game.

Give the Dodgers credit.  Just when you think they're out of ways to conclude a contest in losing fashion, like last night's 7-4 fall against Houston, the Boys in Blue put a unique spin on what's become a recurring result.  Mark Sweeney getting picked off at first in a game ending double play after a pop out to the catcher?  Kinda sad (and ultimately inconsequential), but at least acknowledge the originality.  Take away the creative approach and you're looking at a heavily recycled plot line.  Pitching not coming through in tight spots, the culprits in this instance being Brett Tomko, Joe Beimel and Rudy Seanez and their mutual sixth inning effort.  Tomko's opening five frames were actually pretty productive, but that whole "gotta play a productive entire game" thing came back to bite the team in the buttocks yet again.  The failure to convert with runners in scoring position on nine separate occasions certainly feels like well worn territory.  Unless the box scores start getting goosed, a fourth place NL West standing will feel like that old flannel you've been wearing for years, minus the warm and fuzzy fabric.

And apparently an easy number to hit in baseball as well.  Or at least that's how the Astros' six-run sixth inning came off during their 7-4 win over the Dodgers, a frame that blew the doors wide open for Houston.  Certainly didn't look like the guests were struggling to tally those kinda numbers.  After those floodgates were finally shut and the water damage assessed, one got a PDQ vibe that the fallout would result in a Blue defeat.  Why the automatic cynicism, one asks?  Well, not to be a Negative Nelly, but when a team's only bested six runs once in August (and averaging 2.38 runs on the month thus far), it ain't all that hard to assume a sextet of opposing runs would be enough to bury them.  Truth be told, Houston's extra run ended up just for funsies.  Funsies for the bad guys, but funsies nonetheless. 

For those desperately seeking out bright sides, the Blue actually put up a decent final number.  And they did provide some signs of fight during a ninth inning mini-rally.  Mark Sweeney racked a pinch-hit ribbie, which scored Andre Ethier and prompted Houston to bring in Brad Lidge (along with a spirited "Blitzkrieg Bop" fan singalong as the reliever warmed up).  But any hopes for a comeback were quickly dashed, as Raffy Furcal struck out, Juan Pierre popped out to catcher Brad Ausmus and Sweeney, who apparently thought there were two outs, got picked off at first for a double play.  End of ball game.  Bummed out box score to match a clubhouse vibe.       

Of course, dude needed a gig, so latching on with a squad slumping worse than Amy Winehouse after a night of horse tranquilizer eatin' might not be the turnoff it would be to, say, Derek Jeter.  Frankly, if you asked Hillenbrand a few years back if he thought his two-time All-Star self would be in a position to desire employment in mid-August, he would have likely answered with a head shake.  But baseball, like life, ain't the most predictable of beasts.  "You'd like to think that's not going to happen," admitted Hillenbrand of his recent bounce around the league.  "But you really don't focus on that.  You just focus on the opportunities that you have and try to take advantage of every opportunity that's given to you.  It's been different, my outlook on baseball.  My expectations are a lot differ