Dodgers blow 6-0 lead, beat Padres in 13
July 6, 2009
SAN DIEGO (AP)—Not even a ninth-inning collapse could stop the Los AngelesDodgers.
James Loney(notes) hit a leadoff homer in the 13th inning to help the Dodgersrebound after giving up five runs in the ninth and wasting a six-run lead tobeat the San Diego Padres 7-6 on Sunday.
All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton(notes) failed to protect a 6-2 lead, giving upthree runs, including rookie Everth Cabrera’s(notes) tying two-run single.
“We had to win,” Los Angeles manager Joe Torre said. “I guess this is theproduct of the fact that we have played so many close games. Even though we wereemotionally drained after that ninth inning, we go out there and worked at it.”
The Dodgers have the majors’ best winning percentage in one-run games at.692 (18-8). Los Angeles (52-30) also has the best record in the big leagues.
“I’m just thankful we got the win,” said Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley(notes),who was named to his first All-Star game Sunday. “That’s all that matters. Wecould have really gotten down on ourselves.”
Series at a Glance LA Dodgers 6 San Diego 3 Fri, Jul 3 – Final LA Dodgers 4 San Diego 7 Sat, Jul 4 – Final LA Dodgers 7 San Diego 6 Sun, Jul 5 – Final 13th
Loney hit his sixth homer of the season into the right-field seats offEdward Mujica(notes) (2-4) to help the Dodgers win on a day when Manny Ramirez(notes) didn’tstart for the first time since he returned from a 50-game drug suspension onFriday. Manager Joe Torre said he wanted Ramirez to rest his legs after beingout so long.
The outfielder pinch hit in the 11th inning against Mike Adams(notes) and wasrobbed of a hit by right fielder Tony Gwynn’s(notes) sliding catch.
“I was looking fastball and I got it,” Loney said. “I’m not thinkingabout hitting a home run, but I am thinking about driving the ball.”
Said Mujica: “I tried to throw it more toward the middle, but the ballmoved inside and he put a good swing on it.”
Jeff Weaver(notes) (5-2) pitched three hitless innings for the win. Heintentionally walked Adrian Gonzalez(notes) with one out and none on in the 13th inningto bring up pitcher Kevin Correia(notes), who sacrificed him over to second. The Padreshad no position players left so they brought him in to bunt.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Je… AP – Jul 5, 9:11 pm EDT
Weaver struck out rookie Kyle Blanks(notes) to end the game.
“Weaver did a great job,” Torre said. “He’s been so good for us. There’sa certain calmness when he comes in the game.”
Los Angeles pounded out 18 hits and took a 6-0 lead in the fifth. But theDodgers tied a season high by stranding 14 runners, including twice leaving thebases loaded.
The rally ruined a masterful game by Billingsley, who carried a two-hitterinto the ninth inning.
Billingsley was three outs away from his third career complete game andfirst of the season when Chase Headley(notes) led off the ninth with a home run andTony Gwynn Jr. doubled. Broxton replaced Billingsley and issued a one-out walkto Scott Hairston(notes).
He gave up an RBI single to pinch-hitter Will Venable(notes) with two outs beforehe walked Edgar Gonzalez to load the bases. Broxton then walked Alfonzo foranother run that cut the lead to 6-4. Broxton ran the count full before Cabrerachopped a ball up the middle to score two runs.
San Diego Padres' Adrian G… AP – Jul 5, 9:11 pm EDT
As Alfonzo went from first to third on the hit, he overslid the bag and wastagged for the final out.
“I just didn’t have it,” Broxton said. “I can’t afford to give up base onballs.”
Billingsley dominated the Padres through eight innings. Billingsley, whostruck out five and did not walk a batter, also hit his first major league homerin 154 at-bats, a solo shot off Josh Banks(notes) in the fifth and had two hits.
Billingsley was charged with three runs on four hits, including a solo homerto Kevin Kouzmanoff(notes) in the fifth.
Casey Blake(notes) hit a three-run homer and Andre Ethier(notes) added a solo shot for theDodgers, who increased their lead in the NL West to 7 1/2 games over second-placeSan Francisco.
NOTES: San Diego’s comeback was similar to a 6-5 win over the Dodgers onJune 7, 2007, when the Padres scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth offBroxton for the win. … Billingsley’s homer was the first by an opposingpitcher against San Diego since Andy Pettite hit one against Chan Ho Park(notes) onAug. 11, 2006, at Houston. … Kouzmanoff had gone hitless in his previous 21at-bats before he homered into the second deck in left field.
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