Sizzling Dodgers go for sweep of Mets behind Penny
Posted: Wed May 7 11:01 AM
(Sports Network) - Half of rookie Blake DeWitt's career home runs haven't even gone over the fence. However, his timely hitting and hustle has the Los Angeles Dodgers poised to sweep a three-game series with the New York Mets, a feat the team will try to accomplish this afternoon at Dodger Stadium.
DeWitt, called up from Triple-A Las Vegas after Nomar Garciaparra got hurt, hit his first career homer in Monday's win over the Mets, then added a two-run inside-the-park shot in last night's 5-4 victory. The third baseman also drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single to right in the third inning and has six hits in his last three games.
James Loney went 2-for-4 for the red-hot Dodgers, who have won 10 of 11 and will try for their third sweep in their last four series. Los Angeles also swept New York at home from June 11-13 of last year.
The Dodgers won despite shortstop Rafael Furcal missing the game due to a stiff back. Furcal is hitting .366 on the season -- the second highest average in the National League -- and is tied for the league lead with 34 runs scored. He is questionable for today's game.
Los Angeles' Hiroki Kuroda threw just 3 1/3 innings in his start and surrendered four runs -- two earned -- on eight hits and three walks. Hong- Chih Kuo (2-1) was stellar in relief, as he struck out eight batters and walked one over 3 2/3 scoreless innings to earn the win.
Nelson Figueroa (2-2) took the loss after giving up five runs on eight hits in five innings, while walking four and striking out three.
Ryan Church had a double and homer to lead the New York offense, but his lapse in the field on DeWitt's hit to right-center led to the go-ahead run. Moises Alou, Angel Pagan and Brian Schneider each collected two hits for the Mets, who have lost four of their last six overall.
New York center fielder Carlos Beltran did not start due to flu-like symptoms, but struck out in a pinch-hit appearance.
Brad Penny seeks a fifth straight winning start when he toes the rubber for the Dodgers in today's finale. Penny is now 5-2 on the year with a 3.19 earned run average, having not lost since April 11. He has picked up back-to-back wins over Colorado, defeating them in LA on April 26 before a road win on Friday.
The right-hander held the Rockies to three runs on three hits and a season- high four walks over a season-low five innings on Friday. However, he escaped with an 11-6 win.
Penny is 5-11 with a 5.66 ERA in 19 career starts versus the Mets and went 2-1 in three starts against them last year. Both of those wins came at home, as he held New York to five runs (4 earned) in 13 1/3 innings at Dodger Stadium.
John Maine goes for his first career win versus the Dodgers when he starts tonight for the Mets. Maine is 0-3 with a 5.06 ERA in three career starts versus Los Angeles, which is hitting .310 as a team off of him. He last faced them on August 26, 2007 and gave up six runs (3 earned) on nine hits over 5 2/3 innings.
The right-hander has won his last two starts this year to get to 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA. After a home win over Atlanta on April 26, Maine threw six innings of two-run ball in Arizona on Friday in addition to allowing six hits and recording six strikeouts. Maine has 19 punchouts over his last three starts.
These two clubs split 10 meetings last year, with the Dodgers winning four of seven from the Mets at home.