The Dodgers (43-34) come into tonight’s game against the Mets (41-36) with a rare five-game losing streak, and 1-11 record over the last dozen games. They’ll face streaking Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey. (11-1)
First Inning
Top: Andres Torres is on with a walk. Ruben Tejada gets aboard with a single to short center field. David Wright singles. Duda walks. Daniel Murphy flies out. Mets 1, Dodgers 0.
Bottom:
Dee Gordon strikes out. Elian Herrera flies out to first. Jerry Hairston strikes out. Mets 1, Dodgers 0.
Second Inning:
Top:
Kirk Neiwenhuis thrown out at first. John Thole thrown out at first. Dickey flies out to first. Mets 1, Dodgers 0.
Bottom:
The Dodgers go 1-2-3 this time. Mets 1, Dodgers 0.
Third Inning:
Top:
Torres aboard on an error. Tejada singles up the middle, moving Torres to second. Wright singles to center, scoring Torres. Davis singles, scoring Tejada. Wright thrown out at second. Duda strikes out. Mets 2, Dodgers 0.
Bottom:
Scott Van Slyke strikes out. Tony Gwynn Jr. singles, but runs into a double play. Mets 2, Dodgers 0.
Fourth Inning:
Top
Daniel Murphy flies out to center. Niewenhuis walks to first. Thole thrown out at first. Dickey out at first. Mets 2, Dodgers 0.
Bottom:
Herrera flies out. Hairston out at first. Abreu strikes out. 1-2-3.
Fifth Inning:
Top:
Torres strikes out. Tejada doubles to deep left. Wright walked intentionally. Dee Gordon leaps and contorts to field Ike Davis’ fly ball to deep short. Duda singles to right, scoring Tejada. Murphy doubles to right, as Van Slyke fails to negotiate the ball, scoring two runs, and bringing the roof down a little. Mets 5, Dodgers 0.
Bottom:
Dickey retires the side as Ellis flies out, and Loney strikes out. Van Slyke goes down swinging. Mets 5, Dodgers 0.
Sixth Inning:
Top:
Thole singles to short center field. Dickey tagged out by Harang on the way to first. Torres thrown out at first. Tejada is hit by a pitch, sending him to first. Shawn Tolleson brought in to pitch. Uribe comes in at third, Herrera replaces Van Slyke in right. Wright out at first. Mets 5, Dodgers 0.
Bottom:
Gwynn out at first. Uribe out at first. Gordon hit by a pitch. Herrera strikes out swinging. Mets 5, Dodgers 0.
Seventh Inning:
Top:
Here comes the rest of that roof. Davis doubles to center. Neiwenhius singles. Murphy homers, scoring three runs. Thole reaches first on an error by Gordon. Dickey singles to center. Tejada singles, scoring Thole. Mets 9, Dodgers 0.
Bottom
Dodgers being disassembled. Abreu walks. Ellis singles. Loney hits into a double play. Mets 9, Dodgers 0.
Eighth Inning
Top
Jensen in to pitch. Ike Davis strikes out looking. Mets finally go quietly. Mets 9, Dodgers 0.
Bottom
Van Slyke flies out to deep center. Gwynn doubles to center field. Uribe out at first. Gordon out at first. Mets 9, Dodgers 0.
Ninth Inning
Top
Jamey Wright in to pitch for LA. Niewenhius strikes out. Thole singles. Turner singles. Torres strikes out. Tejada flies out. Mets 9, Dodgers 0.
Bottom:
Herrera singles, and steals second. Hairston flies out to center. Abreu out at first. Ellis flies out to center. Mets 9, Dodgers 0. FINAL
Keep in mind the Dodgers have THE TOUGHEST remaining sclhduee in the NL. If they want to get to the playoffs they MUST 1) Sign Kyle Farnsworth31-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 1.12 WHIP (compared to 1.52 and 1.53 the past two seasons). And he’s a solid-minded, hard-nosed set-up guy that can talk to Broxton about keeping his fastball above 95mph.2) Put Xavier in Lead-Off SpotHe has a crucial hits average and gets around the bases WELL. In the NL, Furcal is a lot more likely to drive in runs (7 HR, 337 avg) in the 2 spot, and he’s the best bunter in the NL. His batting style pushes runners.3) Trade Billingsley IF Sorry, but Billingsley has something wrong going on. I don’t know if it’s because he’s using his slider too much, but as a third year pitcher at his age he’s way too inconsistent and has been for a year now. IF the Dodgers can package him with DeJesus, a AA outfielder and get a discount, then I’d pull the trigger for Roy Oswalt. Hey, McCourt! Any objections?Hopefully Billingsley pitches well tonight $$$ Play ball.