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