For that matter, nobody left Chad hanging, either.

The kid often known as "Bills" (on this blog, if nothing else) has put forth outings this season often equal parts brilliance -- 12 strikeouts in his last go -- and erratic -- getting hit hard on about every other pitch in the same game.  Thus, Chad Billingsley entered Wednesday's scrap in Miami as perhaps baseball's Most Talented Winless Starter.  But after holding the Marlins to three hits and one run in a 13-1 Dodger win, he finally got that elusive "W." 

Of course, with a baker's dozen in run support, either K Brother could have pitched and pocketed a victorious decision (except for BK, obviously).  Fifteen hits in all for the Blue, with five alone in Raffy Furcal's pocket (a career high).  Recently returned rook Blake DeWitt knocked in four runs (another career high).  Matt Kemp and James Loney were each good for a trio of ribbies (a career high for neither, but still admirable).  Check out the box score and you'll see a stat reflecting how nutty them Dodger bats went.  Take away the pair by Billingsley and there was only one other Blue K.  Them's the kinda results Joe Torre will easily live with.

AK

First, your lineups:

Dodgers:

Furcal                    SS
Ethier                    LF
Kemp                    RF
Kent                     2B
Martin                  C
Loney                   1B
Jones                   CF
DeWitt                 3B
Billingsley             RHP

Marlins:

Ramirez                SS
Uggla                    2B
Hermida                RF
Cantu                    3B
Gonzalez                LF
Rabelo                   C
Helms                    1B
Amezaga                CF
Olsen                     LHP

Then, in the game notes sent to the media before each game, there are a couple interesting nuggets:

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2008 could very well be the last season for crusty vet Jeff Kent, but after games like last night's 7-6 win over the Marlins, it's pretty obvious he's not ready to get the shovel treatment quite yet.  Kent went 2-5 at the dish and belted in a trio of scores, two of which came as part of a four-run blitz in the second inning.  Throw in solo ribbies during the sandwich innings and one would figure Derek Lowe had been provided the foundation for an easy "W" beside him in the box score.  Think again. Fielding errors from James Loney and Matt Kemp tagged Mr. Sinker with three unearned runs, with good ol' fashioned Marlin hitting adding another three.  Suddenly, we've got a knotted contest, meaning a Broxton-less bullpen would have to hold serve until the blue bats eventually did their proverbial "thing."  Blake Dewitt's eighth-inning hero attempt was gunned down at the dish, but Kent eventually brought home the tie-breaking seventh run one frame later. 

Even more happy was the sight of Takashi Saito not only snagging the save but coming through in the dominant fashion fans have yet to see this season.  And again, with Broxton potentially illin' for a few games, moving beyond the .500 mark will likely require Sammy at the top of his craft. 

Via Tony Jackson of the Daily News, Jonathan Broxton has been taken for an MRI and won't be available to pitch tonight.  The culprit: the latissiums dorsi, which according to this photo is fancy Latin for "big muscle below the arm, on the back and running along the side."

Jackson reports that the injury is not considered serious.  I'm sure there will be more info on this after/during the game. 

For those of you interested in lineups, here's L.A.'s:  Furcal (SS), Ethier (LF), Kemp (RF), Kent (2B), Martin (C), Loney (1B), Jones (CF), DeWitt (3B), Lowe (P). 

BK

It's not so much -- at least for the time being -- that I'm being proven wrong.  Lord knows that happens often enough and is an unavoidable side effect of my job.  Rather, it's because I like intrigue and competition as much as the next guy, and right now I'm not getting any.  Which is why, as of April 29, I have this to say to the N.L. West:

I'm ticked off at you. 

This was supposed to be the most competitive division in baseball, with four teams -- that's Arizona, L.A., Colorado and San Diego, if you're keeping score -- theoretically capable of pushing or exceeding 90 wins, packed tight like sardines in oil and overloading normally forgettable first-half series with intrigue.  A genuine 162-game pennant race.   

Clearly, that was wishful thinking. 

Them Marlins of Florida are off to a strong start (and come Jorge Cantu-approved), meaning a three game series in Miami (kicking off tonight at 4:10 pm PST) doesn't look to be a tranquil swim in the beach front waters.  Even for a Dodger squad that may have recently found its center, despite playing those games in a region that's reputed for its "don't worry, be happy" in regards to winning.  Sinker ball specialist Derek Lowe will test his stuff (and a recently tight elbow) against Andrew Miller.   With any luck, he'll throw well enough to help create a situation where Takashi Saito gets a shot to close out the deal, because a lack of work is covering Sammy in rust.  Being unable to take the mound on a regular basis has been a frustrating situation for Saito (similar to Nomar's thoughts on a DL stint).  Should the dilemma continue, Saito could perhaps bend the ear of the Dodgers' resident sports psychologist for tips on maintaining his edge during a tough time.  Of course, if the shrink really wants to prove her mettle, she'll sit down with the Dodger third base coach and figure out what makes that cat tick.

Then never let it be said the folks over at Blue Notes don't aim to lift your spirits.  And this couldn't have happened to a better team, right?

AK

The Dodgers began the season with lofty expectations in a tough division, hopes and dreams thus far going unrealized with a 12-13 record.  But there is reason for optimism, what with yesterday's 3-2 win over the Rockies completing a sweep over another NL West resident.  And like Friday night's victory, extra innings were necessary to get the job done.  The victorious table was set by Esteban Loaiza, who eschewed his often typical shakiness in favor of a solid two runs surrendered over five frames.  His performance may not be enough to keep him in the rotation, but it dis his team a nice solid.  A fourth inning, two out rally matched that pair of runs for the Blue, an effort that mirrored the resolve displayed by the home squad.  One need look no further than the pen's continual success wriggling out of mess for an example of that heart.  James Loney also found a chance to redeem himself after an overanxious swing led to an frame-killing DP.   Next at bat, kid was cool as a bowl of Gazpacho, knocking a grounder into right field to move Raffy Furcal across the plate for a tenth inning box score beauty.  Joe Torre has been preaching the importance of his team retaining confidence throughout their struggles.  A weekend like the one just enjoyed goes a long way to help that mission.

I attended Friday night's game.  Thirteen innings.  BK gets last night's Ravine assignment, which not only goes a standard nine but is basically over after the first inning, allowing him to finish his post-game report by frame five.  Then today rolls around.  I sub for my brother after he does the pregame of a contest that cruises along, yet it still manages to keep me at the park a little longer than usual.  I guess Colorado is under the distinct impression I really enjoy watching them play. 

Similar to my quest to get out of here in the utmost ASAP fashion, the Dodgers' 3-2 win was nothing if not a battle.  Pitchers dueling to generally positive (and hard-earned) conclusions.  Batters both coming through and biting the dust in two-out situations (the Dodgers did wonders in the fourth with a pair burned).  Recovering from a potentially crushing error late in the game.  A spare inning required to decide the outcome.  Overcoming obstacles like these were not only necessary to come out with the zippy box score, but serve in Joe Torre's mind as a microcosm of the stiff upper lip his team has shown during this home stand.  "We're bending a little bit, but we never broke," said Torre of another gritty triumph.  "It really helps your personality.  It helps your confidence."

The breakdown is below. 

Joe Torre promises the day will come when Russell Martin will get some days off (tomorrow, for example, since the Blue aren't playing).  Right now, though, he's playing well, and is in the lineup this afternoon.  "For certain I need to get into some kind of regular routine.  I want to do that.  But the fact that he's swinging the bat really well right now, and with the off day tomorrow, I decided to go ahead and play him," Torre said before the game.  "I don't know what (the exact number of games we want him playing) is, but we're going to make a concerted effort to make sure he gets his rest."

Not that Martin wants it.  While Torre was talking to the media, the Dodger backstop walked through the dugout.  "Hey Russell," Torre said, "these guys want me to give you a day off."

"No," Martin replied.

"How about tomorrow?"

"Sure. I'll take tomorrow off."

Torre emphasized that obviously it's not up to Martin, because otherwise he'd be playing every day.  They talked at length in Spring Training about making sure he's as fresh as possible in August in September.  That plan hasn't changed.  It might get creative, though.  "There may be a game, after watching it the other night, there may be a game you give Russell the day off, and that day off might be at third base," Torre said.