New Lineup Gives Dodgers Late Season Momentum

Aaron Harang (9-7, 3.65) vs. Mark Buehrle (11-11, 3.69)

Dodgers Lineup:

Victorino 7

Punto 4

Kemp 8

Gonzalez 3

Ramirez 6

Ethier 9

Cruz 5

Treanor 2

Harang 1

Last night was a magical game, wasn’t it? The Dodgers, complete with newly acquired All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, had a season-

high 16 hits. Three of those hits were homeruns hit by Gonzalez, Ethier, and Mark Ellis. Gonzalez electrified the crowd both at Dodger Stadium and those at home watching the game by hitting a three-run homerun in his first at bat as a Dodger. It was epic. That was Gonzo’s only hit of the night, and he ended up going 1-for-5 with two strikeouts. Yet something about this newly refurbished lineup really lit the bats of the Dodgers on fire. Everyone in the lineup had at least one hit except for Hanley Ramirez. Mark Ellis and Matt Kemp each had three hits, and Andre Ethier had four. Andre Ethier also made history as he collected his tenth consecutive hit which tied the Dodger franchise record and breaks the L.A. Dodger record held by Ron Cey with nine. The MLB record is 12, and Ethier will try to reach that record in tomorrow’s game.

The Dodgers had just been swept by the San Francisco Giants in three games at home, but with last night’s victory they capture the series win against the Marlins and aim to do some sweeping of their own this afternoon. The Dodgers picked up a game on the Giants who lost to the Braves. Now that places them two games back in the NL West. They are also only 1/2 game back of St. Louis for the second Wild Card spot. The Dodgers would love to continue with this momentum as they wrap up this homestand before departing for Colorado.

Aaron Harang will take the mound in the finale against the Fish in hope of his tenth win of the season. Harang has won two games in a row, and last time out against Atlanta he only allowed 1 earned run off 4 hits over 6 2/3 innings. Harang has a record of 5-3 and ERA of 6.35 in his career against the Marlins. Carlos Lee has especially given Harang a bad time in the past, and the first baseman is hitting .400 against the righty. The Big Show will need to be solid down the stretch for the Dodgers since Chad Billingsley has landed back on the disabled list with a tender elbow. If Bills isn’t healthy by October, Aaron Harang could be integral to the Dodger postseason rotation.

The Marlins will give the ball to lefty Mark Buehrle who will be vying for his twelfth

victory of the year. Buehrle, like Harang, has also won two games in a row. Last time out against Arizona, Buehrle allowed 2 earned runs on 6 hits over 7 innings of work. Back on August 10th, the Dodgers defeated Mark in Miami. He allowed 4 earned runs on 7 hits in the loss to Kershaw and the Dodgers. Hanley Ramirez roughed up his former teammate with 3 hits and 2 RBIs. In his career against the Dodgers, Mark is 3-2 with a 2.25 ERA. Juan Rivera and Matt Treanor of all people have gone deep against Buehrle. 

Today’s game will begin at 1:10 pm, and it will be on Prime Ticket. Join us here after the last out as we continue chronicling this Magical season.