This time the Dodgers had to do it the hard way.
Just one night after Casey Blake scored the game-winning run on the infamous “walk-off balk,” Matt Kemp crushed a fastball from Juan Gutierrez into the left field bleachers for the game-winner, as Los Angeles defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 1-0, Tuesday evening in 10 innings.
Although registering another no-decision, John Ely was again masterful for the Dodgers, throwing seven scoreless innings while allowing only two hits, two walks, and striking out five.
Ely has been nothing but stellar for Los Angeles since being recalled from class AAA Albuquerque, having allowed no more than two earned runs in any of his last six starts.
Arizona Diamondbacks ace Dan Haren was also brilliant on the mound, shutting out Los Angeles through eight innings and striking out seven despite giving up seven hits.
Rafael Furcal led off the bottom half of the Dodger tenth and lined out to Arizona shortstop Steven Drew prior to Matt Kemp’s at-bat.
In what looked like another stage being set for Dodger slugger Andre Ethier to steal the show, Kemp worked the count to 2-2 against Gutierrez before rocketing his 11th homer deep into the night sky.
Jeff Weaver pitched a scoreless 10th for his third victory on the season, helping the Dodgers win for the 17th time in 22 games, and sending the Diamondbacks to their ninth straight loss.
Both dugouts emptied in the seventh inning when Dodger catcher Russell Martin slid into Drew at second base, however no punches were thrown. In the next at-bat, Los Angeles pinch hitter Garret Anderson promptly hit into a double play to end the inning and ease any tension.
Los Angeles moved to within one game of the division leading San Diego Padres, who fell to the New York Mets, 5-2, Tuesday night.
The Dodgers will look to complete their second sweep of Arizona this season on Wednesday afternoon, as Los Angeles sends Carlos Monasterios to the hill to oppose former Dodger Edwin Jackson of the Diamondbacks.
Wednesday’s game is scheduled for a 12:10 PST start at Dodger Stadium.
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