LOS ANGELES DODGERS CLIPSSUNDAY, SEPTMEBER 30, 2012

DODGERS.COM

Kemp homers twice as Dodgers gain on Cards

By Alex Angert

LOS ANGELES -- With two outs in the top of the sixth inning on Saturday night, the 40,724 fans at Dodger Stadium erupted.

Not because of what was going on right in front of them, but rather because of what was unfolding more than 1,800 miles away in St. Louis.

At that moment, it was shown on the scoreboard that the Cardinals had just given up two runs to the Nationals in the 10th inning.

"You can't really miss it," manager Don Mattingly said. "If we don't win, it doesn't really matter."

From there, Los Angeles did its part and eventually pulled out a 3-0 victory over the Rockies behind a pair of Matt Kemp solo homers.

Thanks to St. Louis' 6-4 loss, all of a sudden there is a glimmer of hope for the Dodgers with four games remaining, as they now sit two games back of the final National League Wild Card spot.

"The one thing we can do is win," Mattingly said. "That really forces the team that you chase to win, so they don't get any gifts. They've got to go earn something and that is what we are doing right now."

After Sunday, both the Dodgers and Cardinals host rivals atop their respective divisions, with the Giants coming to Los Angeles for three games and the Reds traveling to St. Louis to close out the regular season.

The Cardinals showed last year that anything is possible in late September, and the Dodgers proved yet again they don't plan on simply rolling over, cranking out 10 hits for their fourth straight win.

The Dodgers 3-4-5 combination of Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez combined to go 8-for-12.

"That's the team I know," Kemp said. "That's the team we should have been all year, but we can't control the past.

Baseball is unpredictable. You never know what is going to happen or what is happening in the moment. Right now, we have to take it for what it is and find a way to sneak into those playoffs."

Third baseman Luis Cruz left in the eighth inning with a headache, but he doesn't expect to miss Sunday's game.

Kemp got the Dodgers on the board in the fourth with a homer that traveled an estimated 461 feet into the left-field stands. He added an insurance run in the eighth with his 22nd homer of the year.

After clubbing 12 homers in April, Kemp managed only six from the start of May until 10 days ago. He looks to have regained his stroke, with four homers in the past 10 games.

"It feels good to hit balls that hard," said Kemp, who admitted to being as banged up as one might expect at this point in the season. "Hopefully I can do it the next four or five days."

Shortly after Kemp's first homer, the Dodgers plated another run when A.J. Ellis singled home Hanley Ramirez, who had singled and stole second. The 2-0 lead was all starter Joe Blanton and the bullpen would need.

For Colorado manager Jim Tracy, the reason why the Dodgers won was pretty simple.

"Their big man hit a couple of solo homers," Tracy said. "They scored three. We didn't get any."

For the second-straight night, the Dodgers pitching staff shut down the Rockies.

Blanton lasted into the seventh inning, allowing seven hits, and he benefited from a pair of double plays and six strikeouts to keep Colorado off the board.

The Dodgers made a play for Blanton in early August because of his experience pitching in big games like Saturday.

"You hope when you are traded that you are put in position to pitch in the playoffs, or do all you can to get in the playoffs," Blanton said.

Following Blanton, Ronald Belisario, Kenley Jansen and Brandon League closed out the game for the Dodgers without allowing a hit.

League earned his sixth save as a Dodger and has now thrown scoreless relief in 18 of his last 19 outings. He has given up just one run in 20 1/3 innings since Aug. 21.

"[Clayton Kershaw] last night was tremendous, but Joe Blanton was really good tonight," Mattingly said. "Our bullpen was lights out again. It was a good night."

Kershaw to make final Cy case on Wednesday

By Alex Angert

LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw's season -- and chase for a second-straight National League Cy Young Award -- seemed all but over a couple weeks ago, thanks to pain in his right hip.

But after throwing eight pain-free, shutout innings with 10 strikeouts on Friday night, Kershaw will get one more start this season to make his case for the award. For the moment, the lefty is listed as the starter for Wednesday's regular season finale against San Francisco, and he has every intention of taking the mound.

"That is my plan," Kershaw said. "Hopefully it matters. I definitely plan on pitching, regardless."

Kershaw is second in the NL in innings pitched (219 2/3) and strikeouts (221), trailing R.A. Dickey in both categories. The lefty has held opposing batters to a .213 average, which is second in the NL to Gio Gonzalez's .206 mark.

Kershaw's total of 13 wins isn't as flashy as some of the other top pitchers in the league, like Gonzalez (21), Dickey (20) or Johnny Cueto (19), but that is because he has been the recipient of poor run support all season.

Kershaw is 5-3 with a 1.79 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings over his last 10 starts. He went 21-5 with a 2.28 ERA and 248 strikeouts last season to win the Cy Young Award.

"He embraces being the guy at the front of the rotation," said Rockies manager Jim Tracy, who remembers Kershaw needing 100 pitches to get through four innings as a rookie. "It's totally evident in his body language."

"His fastball command is like night and day from when he showed up. He's developed into one of the best in the industry. A big-game pitcher. If there's a game you have to win, you feel very good about your chances"

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he had hesitations about keeping Kershaw in the game late Friday night because of the right hip impingement, but he ultimately let him stay in the game after cruising through the first seven innings.

"In the eighth, I was kind of a little nervous about sending him back out around 100 pitches," said Mattingly, adding there has never been any concern that there was a "long-range, long-term, unfixable-type of problem."

"He just rolled. He was throwing the ball so good. It tells you there was nothing going on. If there is something going on, you don't keep throwing the ball like that. The way he has pitched has really told the story."

Cruz's strong finish could lead to starting in 2013

By Alex Angert

LOS ANGELES -- Could Luis Cruz, a journeyman who has become one of the Dodgers' most consistent hitters the past three months, factor into the next year's plans?

Manager Don Mattingly doesn't see any reason why he can't.

"To me, Luis has come in and taken the job," Mattingly said. "That is my opinion. He's come in and said, 'Why not?' There is nothing he has done that says 'Don't play me.' He really has been great.

"Luis has definitely established himself, at the least -- the very, very least -- to be talked about as as far as an every day guy."

Cruz, 28, is batting .306 since being called up in July. Originally used at shortstop, Cruz shifted to third base and has committed only one error in 108 chances entering Saturday's game against the Rockies.

At the plate, Cruz's .326 batting average in 24 September games ranks 12th in the National League for the month, entering Saturday.

Cruz entered the season with only 56 big league games on his resume, after bouncing around several organizations. The Dodgers control Cruz's contract through 2014, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see his name penciled into the Opening Day lineup in 2013.

"When we first started Cruzer, I really kind of thought, honestly, that he was going to get exposed at some point and hit a cold spell," said Mattingly, who compared Cruz to Casey Blake. "He's shown nothing but being able to handle everything we've given him."

Worth noting• Mark Ellis sat out for the third time in the past four games on Saturday and was replaced by Nick Punto at second base and atop the lineup. Ellis had been ill earlier in the week and manager Don Mattingly said he wanted to give the veteran a day off either Saturday or Sunday.

Dodgers' Path to the Postseason: Sept. 30, 2012

By Alex Angert

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers aren't out of it just yet.

The Dodgers' 3-0 victory over the Rockies on Saturday night -- coupled with the Cardinals' extra-inning loss to the Nationals -- kept the team's playoff hopes alive as the Dodgers now sit two games out of the final National League Wild Card spot with four games remaining.

The Dodgers have one game left against the Rockies on Sunday, before hosting the Giants for the final three games of the regular season.

Before facing the Reds for one last series, the Cardinals have one more game against the Nationals, of whom manager Don Mattingly made one request at the end of his postgame press conference Saturday.

"Win tomorrow," he urged.

Sunday's key games to watch (all times PT)

Astros (Lyles, 4-12) at Brewers (Fiers, 9-9), 11:10 a.m. Preview >Nationals (Detwiler, 10-7) at Cardinals (Lynn, 17-7), 11:15 a.m. Preview >Rockies (De La Rosa, 0-1) at Dodgers (Beckett, 6-14), 1:10 p.m. Preview >If the postseason started today ...

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Wild Card: Second Wild Card at First Wild Card

Division Series: Second-best AL record vs. Third-best AL record | Best AL record at Wild Card winner

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Wild Card: Second Wild Card at First Wild Card

Division Series: Second-best NL record vs. Third-best NL record | Best NL record at Wild Card winner

Postseason 101

Magic numbers

To calculate a team's magic number, take the number of games it has remaining and add one. Then subtract the difference in the number of losses between that team and its closest pursuer.

Tiebreaker scenarios

A tiebreaker game will be played to determine a division winner, even if the tied clubs are assured of participating in the postseason. If a division championship tiebreaker is necessary, the head-to-head record between the clubs will determine home-field advantage. If the head-to-head record is tied, then the division record will be the next tiebreaker. If two clubs are tied for the two Wild Card berths, home-field advantage will be determined by the head-to-head record between the clubs. If the head-to-head record is tied, then the division record will be the next tiebreaker.

2012 postseason schedule

Wild Card playoff games: Oct. 5

Division Series: Oct. 6-12

AL Championship Series: Oct. 13-21

NL Championship Series: Oct. 14-22

World Series: Oct. 24-Nov. 1

LA TIMES

Matt Kemp powers Dodgers past Rockies

By Dylan Hernandez

Wearing the red road uniform of the Washington Nationals and playing about 1,500 miles from Dodger Stadium, Kurt Suzuki was as valuable to the Dodgers on Saturday night as Matt Kemp or Hanley Ramirez.

Kemp hit two home runs and Ramirez had three hits in a 3-0 Dodgers victory over the Colorado Rockies, but if not for Suzuki's two-run double in St. Louis, the Dodgers wouldn't have moved any closer to a postseason berth.

Suzuki's 10th-inning drive lifted the Nationals to a 6-4 victory over the Cardinals, whose lead over the Dodgers for the second of two National League wild-card spots was reduced to two games.

Manager Don Mattingly laughed when asked if he had any words of gratitude he wanted relayed to Suzuki.

"Win tomorrow," Mattingly said, referring to how the Nationals can secure the NL East title with a win over the Cardinals on Sunday.

The Dodgers and Cardinals both have four games remaining.

If the Dodgers and Cardinals finish the regular season with the same record, they would play a one-game play-in game, with the Dodgers designed as the home team by virtue of their superior head-to-head record. The winner would have a one-game playoff against the first wild card, probably the Atlanta Braves.

A scenario that once seemed improbable suddenly appears to be within the realm of reality, largely in part because of how the Dodgers are playing.

They have won their last four games and five of their last six. And, perhaps more important, Kemp looks like the same player who pursued the triple crown last season.

Kemp was three for four with two runs batted in and two runs scored Saturday.

Over his last four games, he is nine for 17 with three home runs, seven RBIs and six runs scored.

Kemp's first home run, to left field, came in the fourth inning against starter Tyler Chatwood. The ball he hit reached the top half of the left-field pavilion and traveled an estimated 461 feet.

"It feels good to hit balls that hard," Kemp said. "Hopefully, I can do it the next four or five days."

Later in the inning, Ramirez singled, stole second base and scored on a hit by A.J. Ellis to put the Dodgers ahead, 2-0.

Ramirez stole another base in the sixth inning, his 20th of the season. This marked the fifth time in his career that he had hit 20 home runs and stolen 20 bases in the same season.

Kemp increased the Dodgers' lead to 3-0 by hitting his 22nd home run, this one to right field.

Joe Blanton won for the second time in 10 starts for the Dodgers by holding the Rockies to seven hits over six innings.

The Rockies were playing short-handed, as they had to scratch outfielder Tyler Corvin from the lineup because of a sore left elbow. That left the Rockies with only one healthy position player on the bench, infielder Jonathan Herrera.

Dodgers' fans deserve some different prizes

By Bill Plaschke

Oh, good, it's time for that annual ritual in which the Dodgers attempt to appease those unfortunate ticketholders who spend one inning trying to park and two innings trying to buy a hot dog.

OK, so they're attempting to appease everyone, which is why it's called Fan Appreciation Day, occurring Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium during a game against the horrid Colorado Rockies, which should be appreciation enough.

My favorite prize is four tickets to a regular-season Kings home game. The lucky winner will be considerably luckier if there actually is a hockey regular season.

My second-favorite prize is a lunch for two with Hall of Famer Tom Lasorda, which could be conveniently paired with three other prizes — a one-year supply of Coca-Cola products, a one-year supply of Wetzel's Pretzels, and a one-year supply of Frosted Flakes cereal.

Seriously, at this point, 24 years after their last world championship, the only prize that would make Dodgers fans feel appreciated would be another championship.

Well, that, and one of the new owners realizing that this sport is baseball and not basketball and TURNING DOWN THE STADIUM VOLUME.

The actual prize: The Dodgers grounds crew visits your house and works on your lawn.

A better prize: A revamped Dodgers infield for next season featuring Hanley Ramirez at third base and Luis Cruz in some sort of platoon at shortstop.

Ramirez has to be convinced to move to third base because he doesn't field well enough to play shortstop every day, especially in a pitching park such as Dodger Stadium.

Cruz may be a fan favorite and the season's best story, but remember, he's batting above .300 in only 74 games, which may be just about right.

"When we acquired Hanley, we wanted to be see if he was open to whatever Donnie [Mattingly] wanted him to do, and he was, so we'll see what happens," said General Manager Ned Colletti on Saturday.

The actual prize: A Las Vegas Experience that includes three nights at a casino resort.

A better prize: An ace.

I know, the Dodgers already have Clayton Kershaw, but they need another top-shelf starting pitcher to compensate for the possible long loss of Chad Billingsley and their bevy of middle guys, including Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang and Josh Beckett.

It sounds crazy to think the Dodgers could add a high-priced free agent such as Zack Greinke or make another deal for a big-money arm, but after what happened this summer, could they do anything that would surprise us?

"I think we have to look for another starting pitcher," admitted Colletti, later adding, "I think it's clear our owners have shown they are really excited about this thing and the possibility of bringing this town a championship."

The actual prize: Hello Kitty gift basket.

A better prize: Hello Carl Crawford.

If you listen to all the whining from Boston Red Sox fans — do they do anything else? — you would think Crawford is more foul than that infamous Popeye's chicken. Yet throw out his Fenway follies and you have a guy with National League skills finally going to the National League. His recovery from elbow surgery, and subsequent positioning in left field and at the top of the order, will change this team in ways that folks with short memories cannot imagine.

"This is a breath of fresh air for Carl,'' said Colletti. "When I talked to him after the trade, he was as happy as any player I've spoken to during that kind of call … you could sense his relief."

The actual prize: High-definition camcorder kit.

A better prize: A high-definition bullpen.

The Dodgers need to re-sign Brandon League to solidify their pen with three potential closers, keeping him with Kenley Jansen and Ronald Belisario. Who would finish the game? Would it really matter? Mattingly smartly subscribes to the theory that the three most important outs of the game aren't necessarily in the ninth inning. With League having allowed runs in just one of his last 18 relief appearances, he's earned his spot.

Or, in the words of Colletti, "It would be like having three center fielders in your outfield.''

The actual prize: A flat-screen TV.

A better prize: No more flat-screen Matt Kemp.

Even through injury this season, Kemp established himself as the club's toughest and most inspirational player. Now he has to also become its smartest by knocking off this running-into-walls stuff. At this stage of his bruised career, his health is almost as important as his swing.

Said Colletti: "I think he's learned a lot about himself this year.''

Said Mattingly: "Now he just needs to know which walls to run into.''

Dodgers make the Cy Young case for Clayton Kershaw

By Dylan Hernandez

Will Clayton Kershaw win another Cy Young Award this year? The odds are against it, considering his record stands at a modest 13-9.

But Kershaw's admittedly-biased catcher, A.J. Ellis, argued on Saturday that his candidacy shouldn't be hurt by the Dodgers' offensive shortcomings.

"It didn't hurt Felix Hernandez a few years ago," Ellis said, pointing to how the Seattle Mariners ace won the award in the American League in 2010 with a 13-12 record.

Kershaw's all-around statistics are barely down from his Cy Young Award season last year.

Through Friday, he led the NL in earned-run average (2.58), as well as walks and hits per innings pitched (1.033). He ranked second in strikeouts (221), innings pitched (2192/3), hits per nine innings (6.842) and shutouts (two).

"The numbers speak for themselves," Ellis said. "It's really hard for starting pitchers to control wins and losses. All you can do is go out there and give your team in the best chance to win the game. I think having the lowest ERA in the

National League does that. Our inability to score runs, especially when he pitches, may at the end of the day cost him."

New York Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey is considered the favorite to win the vote of the Baseball Writers Assn. of America. Kershaw, Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals and Johnny Cueto of the Cincinnati Reds are widely considered the other top candidates.

"I'm not sure he's going to get the same looks because Dickey's a great story this year, and he's got 20 wins," Manager Don Mattingly said. "And that 20 wins is kind of a magic number for a lot of people. But I think it's not hard to argue for him."

Mattingly said that if he had a ballot, he would cast it for his own ace.

"I think he's the best pitcher in baseball," Mattingly said. "You tell me, 'You can have any guy'; I'd take Clayton Kershaw."

In building a case, Mattingly and Ellis talked about the adjustments Kershaw made this year.

"This year, I feel we've used his curveball a lot more," Ellis said. "Last year, his slider was so dominant. He was able to use that at will. He's had to reinvent himself a little bit this year."

That was part of a never-ending cat-and-mouse game between hitters and pitchers, according to Mattingly.

"Last year, they didn't leave his slider alone," Mattingly said. "They just kept swinging at it. Those guys study; those guys work. They go, 'Hey, you can't chase that slider. You have to leave that slider alone.' So, now, all of a sudden, he uses the other side of the plate more. He uses his curveball more. Now, they have to deal with him different."

Cruz is cruising

Like Elian Herrera before him, Luis Cruz was supposed to stop hitting at some point. But Cruz entered Saturday batting .306 after 73 major league games.

"When he first started, I thought that he was going to get exposed at some point," Mattingly said. "But he's shown nothing but being able to handle everything we've given him."

At 28, the late-blooming Cruz has played in more major league games this year than he previously had in his entire career.

"I've seen guys figure it out late," Mattingly said, pointing to players such as Casey Blake and Gary Ward. "Is Louie Cruz one of those guys? Right now, it looks like it."

Cruz is under club control, meaning he will be back with the Dodgers unless they remove him from their 40-man roster.

What has Cruz's performance earned him for next year?

"At very, very least to be talked about being an everyday guy," Mattingly said.

Dodgers defeat Rockies, 3-0, to keep playoff hopes alive

By Jim Peltz

The Dodgers' playoff bid still has a pulse.

As Matt Kemp's two home runs led the Dodgers past the Colorado Rockies, 3-0, at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night, the St. Louis Cardinals lost to the Washington Nationals, 6-4, in 10 innings.

That lifted the Dodgers to within two games of the Cardinals for the second National League wild-card berth, which is the only way the Dodgers can reach the postseason.

But the Dodgers have only four games left in the regular season: One more with Colorado and three with the San Francisco Giants, also at Dodger Stadium.

Kemp led the Dodgers' fourth consecutive win with solo home runs in the fourth and eighth innings, giving him 22 homers for the season.

Also in the fourth inning, Hanley Ramirez singled against Rockies starter Tyler Chatwood, stole second base and scored on A.J. Ellis' single for the Dodgers' second run of the game.

Dodgers starting pitcher Joe Blanton held Colorado scoreless on seven hits in six-plus innings of work.

Colorado also failed to score against Dodgers relievers Ronald Belisario, Kenley Jansen and Brandon League.

ESPN

On the joys of scoreboard watching

By Mark Saxon

LOS ANGELES -- Information finds us nowadays. It finds us on an island in the South Pacific or in a yurt in the Gobi Desert. So, if you ever hear a baseball player in the midst of a pennant race -- surrounded by 40,000 people, most of whom have mobile devices -- say he isn't following out-of-town scores, realize he's either lying or indifferent.

There's no sign the Los Angeles Dodgers are either of those things.

"I think everybody looks at that scoreboard and sees what St. Louis is doing," Matt Kemp said.

In the sixth inning of the Dodgers' 3-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, the video board operator magnified the image from the right-field scoreboard that read, "WAS 6, STL 4 (10)."

By that point, manager Don Mattingly didn't need the scoreboard to tell him that Washington catcher Kurt Suzuki had hit the decisive two-run double to beat the Cardinals 1,800 miles east of here. He also knew what St. Louis had done to get things to that point.

"I knew they were up 4-0 from the phantom grand slam and then I saw 4-3 and then I saw 4-4," Mattingly said.

Whether it's the start of the charge that gets them deep into October or just a little late-season pizzazz -- and the smart money is on the latter -- there's nothing like a little split-screen action in late September and, at the very least, the Dodgers are treating their fans to some of that delightful theater.

After looking dead in the water, the Dodgers have won four in a row and everything feels different. The Dodgers know their final series, here against the San Francisco Giants, won't be meaningless. They didn't know that until St. Louis lost.

Why have the Dodgers suddenly started playing like a team rising to the occasion? Hard to say. The offense, for some unknowable reason, has snapped out of its baffling funk. The pitching, good before, has looked untouchable against the punchless and diluted Rockies. But the readiest explanation is physical. Either Kemp and Clayton Kershaw are feeling much better or they're doing a good job of tricking themselves into thinking they feel better.

Kershaw's hip went from on-the-verge-of-surgery to feeling great, Kershaw says. Kemp's left shoulder had him on a

downward spiral at the plate a week ago and now it looks like a minor nuisance. It didn't seem to be affecting him much as he bashed a pair of home runs Saturday, one of which slammed into the bleachers five rows from clearing the left-field pavilion.

"It's kind of irrelevant how banged-up he is," Mattingly said.

That's the beautiful thing about fall baseball. Everything other than those little yellow lights on the scoreboard is irrelevant.

3 up, 3 down: Dodgers 3, Rockies 0

By Mark Saxon

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers are adding a hint of intrigue to what appeared to be a dull playoff picture in the National League.

They won their fourth straight game, shutting out the Colorado Rockies 3-0 Saturday night, to pull to within two games of the St. Louis Cardinals for the final wild-card spot with four games left.

The Dodgers will enter their final series -- against the rival San Francisco Giants -- with a post-season pulse. The Cardinals' magic number remains three, meaning the Dodgers can't be eliminated until Monday, at the earliest.

The Good:

Good wood. Matt Kemp got a hanging curveball from Tyler Chatwood in the fourth inning and he did what he should do with those. He hit it so hard, it clanged off the bleachers about five rows from clearing the left-field pavilion. The Dodgers estimate it traveled 461 feet -- why the 1? -- but here are some numbers that are more impressive: Kemp reached 20 home runs for the fourth straight season. That's notable because only one other Dodger has ever done that (Eric Karros, six straight years) and because Kemp missed more than 50 games because of injuries this year. He also hit a towering shot to right field in the eighth.

Blank-ton. Joe Blanton has pitched well lately. In Cincinnati he got into the sixth inning, allowing just one run and striking out six. But Saturday's outing was Blanton's best as a Dodger and, maybe, his best since a complete game against the Minnesota Twins back in mid-June, when he was with the Phillies. Granted, the Rockies aren't exactly rolling out a championship-caliber lineup these days, but the Dodgers have some good things happening on the pitching front and Blanton's part of the story.

Blanket relief. The starting pitchers have been good. The key relievers have been virtually untouchable. Since Kenley Jansen came back, he has pitched 5 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and pushed his way into the setup role. That has allowed the Dodgers to slot Ronald Belisario in the seventh inning. Brandon League is doing nothing to cede the closer's role back to Jansen. If these three keep it up, the Dodgers won't have to worry about close leads in these final few games.

The Bad:

The jinx. Before Saturday's game, somebody -- ahem -- asked Don Mattingly whether Luis Cruz had done enough to hold onto his everyday job next spring. Mattingly said, essentially, yes -- presuming something doesn't change between now and February. Of course, Cruz went out and had only his third hitless game in two weeks, including a strikeout. Later, he left the game because of a headache.

Timing. Watching the Dodgers hit the past few games left you wondering how they could have such a brutal offensive month before that. If you had those thoughts, you're not alone. "If it could have happened a little bit earlier, it would have been nice," Mattingly said before the game. Had the Dodgers snapped out of this funk just a week earlier, they

probably would be protecting a lead going into Wednesday. Now, they're stuck in scramble mode, with any misstep probably knocking them out.

Consistency. Does Andre Ethier do anything in half steps, either good or bad? He snapped out of a six-game stretch in which he batted .160 to pick up three hits and score three runs Friday night -- with a left-hander, Jeff Francis -- starting for Colorado. Saturday, he had another rough night -- 0-for-4 with a double play and two strikeouts. Overall, the trend has been positive. He's batting .308 in his last 33 games. But it would be nice if he could even it out a bit.

Matt Kemp's 2 homers help Dodgers' playoff push

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers' faint playoff hopes are still flickering, and Matt Kemp does not want to see them extinguished if he can help it.

Kemp homered twice, Joe Blanton pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning, and the desperate Dodgers climbed within two games of the second NL wild-card spot with a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night.

Los Angeles' fourth straight victory, coupled with St. Louis' 10-inning loss to Washington, gave the Dodgers a much-needed boost with four games left. After this weekend, they finish up with a three-game series against NL West champion San Francisco. The defending World Series champion Cardinals close out the regular season with a three-game set at home against Central champion Cincinnati.

"Right now we have to find a way to sneak into those playoffs," Kemp said. "We're both going to be playing good teams next week, so it's going to come down to the end. We've just got to keep going out there and playing hard and see where we end up."

The loss was the Rockies' 96th, breaking the franchise record set in their inaugural 1993 season and equaled in 2005.

Blanton (10-13) scattered seven hits over six-plus innings, struck out six and walked none. The Rockies got only one runner as far as third base against the right-hander, who has only two victories in 10 starts with the Dodgers since he was acquired from Philadelphia on Aug. 3 -- including a 10-8 win over the Rockies on Aug. 29 at Coors Field.

"You hope when you're traded, you're put in a position to pitch in the playoffs or do all you can to get in the playoffs," Blanton said. "You just hope you get those opportunities. You never know in this game what's going to happen. Last year was a prime example of that. So as long as there's games left and you're still in it, anything could happen. That's the way you've got to treat it and try to win every game."

Ronald Belisario and Kenley Jansen each pitched a perfect inning and Brandon League did likewise in the ninth for his 15th save in 21 chances with the Dodgers and Seattle Mariners. He has converted all six opportunities with Los Angeles.

Tyler Chatwood (5-6) threw 74 pitches over four innings, allowing two runs and five hits. The 22-year-old right-hander, who began his big league career down the freeway with the Angels last season, was 4-5 with a 4.88 ERA in his 12 starts with the Rockies this season, including an 8-4 home win over the Dodgers on Aug. 28.

Kemp led off the fourth with a drive into the left field pavilion that traveled an estimated 461 feet. Hanley Ramirez singled one out later, stole second and scored on a two-out single by A.J. Ellis -- his fifth consecutive game with at least one RBI after going 15 games and 44 at-bats without one.

Kemp added his 22nd homer in the eighth, an opposite-field drive to right against Josh Roenicke. It was his fifth career multihomer game and second this season, the other coming on April 14 against San Diego at Dodger Stadium.

"I'm just seeing the ball and hitting the ball, putting some good wood on mistake pitches and driving the ball. That's what I'm used to doing and what I'm capable of doing," Kemp said. "As long as I can get strikes to hit, I can be a pretty good hitter. It felt good to hit balls that hard. Hopefully I can do it the next four days."

Kemp is batting .229 with five homers and 13 RBIs in 23 games since hurting his left shoulder crashing into the center field fence at Coors Field in consecutive games last month while trying to catch triples by Josh Rutledge and Tyler Colvin.

"I feel like any other player would feel in the month of September," Kemp said. "Everybody's banged up at this time of the year, so you can't make excuses."

Colorado manager Jim Tracy, using a patchwork lineup because of injuries to Colvin, Todd Helton, Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, Jason Giambi, Dexter Fowler, Michael Cuddyer and Eric Young Jr., had little to choose from on the bench to pinch-hit for Chatwood in the fifth with runners at the corners, two out and the Rockies trailing 2-0. So Chatwood batted for himself and grounded into a fielder's choice before Josh Outman replaced him on the mound in the bottom half.

"That's where we're at right now," first baseman Jordan Pacheco said. "We're not really in a position to do anything, so we're not going to hurt anybody anymore. It stinks when you're in that position with a chance to do something, and we haven't had many situations like that -- especially in this series. So all you can do is roll with the punches."

Game notes

LHP Clayton Kershaw, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, has a league-best 2.58 ERA with one start remaining. If he stays on top, he would become the first Dodgers pitcher with back-to-back ERA titles since Sandy Koufax's career-ending five-year run from 1962-66. ... The Rockies have lost eight straight on the road and 13 of their last 14 away from Coors Field. ... Blanton was 1-4 with a 5.46 ERA in his previous 10 home starts with the Dodgers and Phillies. ... Dodgers RHP Josh Beckett, who beat the Rockies in Game 1 of the 2007 World Series while pitching for Boston, starts Sunday's series finale against LHP Jorge De La Rosa.

Cruz plays his way into Dodgers plans

By Mark Saxon

LOS ANGELES -- Before this July, Luis Cruz had played in just 56 major-league games, including none in 2011. His career not only was teetering, but perhaps even foundering.

Now, according to manager Don Mattingly, he has cemented himself into the Los Angeles Dodgers' long-term plans as an everyday player. Cruz, who was called up July 2, is batting .306, including .360 since Sept. 14. He has played Gold Glove-caliber third base and become a folk hero among Dodgers fans, who chant his name every time he contributes.

Dodgers players were wearing T-shirts with "Cruuuuuz" on the back before Friday night's game.

"I'll be honest with you. I thought he was going to get exposed at some point, go through a cold spell," Mattingly said. "He's handled everything that they've given him. To me Luis came in and took the job, that's my opinion. There's nothing from him that says 'Don't play me.' "

If the Dodgers can scratch third base off their off-season to-do list, they could concentrate their resources on adding a starting pitcher. Otherwise, their roster appears virtually set, with established everyday players at every other position. Cruz will earn the major-league minimum in 2013.

Mattingly compared Cruz to a couple of other late-blooming players from different eras: Casey Blake, who became an everyday player at 29, and Gary Ward, who established himself at 28. Cruz is 28.

Mattingly: Things are good with Josh Beckett

By Mark Saxon

LOS ANGELES -- Josh Beckett had a reputation for being a difficult personality to work with before the Dodgers acquired him from the Boston Red Sox. Now, that perception has been perpetuated by comments made by Boston manager Bobby Valentine and one of Beckett's former teammates in Florida, Al Leiter.

The Dodgers insist things have been smooth since they acquired Beckett on Aug. 25.

"I didn't hear anything that Bobby said or Al said, but Josh has been great," manager Don Mattingly said. "He's given us absolutely zero problems, I think he's thrown the ball well. I haven't heard anybody complaining about anything, so I can really only talk about what we've seen and it's been great."

In an interview broadcast on ESPN New York, Valentine said he wished he had heeded advice Leiter gave him before the season began.

"The advice was that he had to make sure that he had Josh Beckett. Not contained and controlled ... but somewhere where he was on Bobby's side, because Josh could be difficult," Leiter told Kay, "and he was and it was a divisive kind of scenario and I don't know if he (Bobby) was able to do that."

DAILY NEWS

DODGERS NOTEBOOK: Abreu weighing his options for 2013

By J.P. Hoornstra

Bobby Abreu's first career pinch-hit home run capped the Dodgers' 8-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Friday. After the game, manager Don Mattingly was asked if he would try to get Abreu into the lineup more.

With Shane Victorino, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier healthy? No.

But there's been another interesting twist in Abreu's topsy-turvy 2012 season that's taken him from the Angels, to the Dodgers, to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, then back to the Dodgers.

All 19 of his plate appearances in September have come as a pinch-hitter. Add in his last four at-bats in July before the Dodgers designated him for assignment, and Abreu has made 23 straight plate appearances as a pinch-hitter. His on-base percentage in that span is an outstanding .391 - three singles, one home run, five walks - and he might have scored more than two runs if not for being replaced with a pinch-runner.

Nine of Abreu's 18 career pinch-hits have come this season, and he is making a strong audition to continue the role next season - what would be his 18 th in the majors - at age 39.

Only Abreu doesn't want to be a pinch-hitter next season.

"It's only for right now, here. We have the outfielders, those guys are playing every day and everything," he said. "Right now, the team needs a left-hander coming off the bench. I'd say it's for right now. Let's see what will happen in the future."

The history of the majors is littered with players who excelled in limited playing time later in their careers. Pinch-hitter extraordinaire Matt Stairs was 43 when he played his final game last season with the Washington Nationals, and it sounds like Abreu doesn't want to hang on that long.

"I'm just going to play a couple more years, then I'll be OK," he said.

It seemed unlikely Abreu would return to the Dodgers next season after being designated for assignment Aug. 1. It seems even more unlikely now that Carl Crawford is the heir apparent in left field, Jerry Hairston Jr. is under contract for another season, the Dodgers have an option on Juan Rivera, and Luis Cruz can back up at the corner outfielder positions (if the Dodgers don't bring him back as their starting third baseman or shortstop).

Still, Abreu wouldn't rule out a return.

"Let's see," he said. "Let's see what's going to happen. Just wait. After what happens right now, right now we have to concentrate, try to win the games, get into the playoffs. Then in the offseason you have plenty of time to think about it."

Ellis turns a corner

A.J. Ellis would like to show the Dodgers that he did not hit a wall in September.

In his career-high 116 th game of the season on Sept. 11, Ellis went hitless. That set off a span of 10 straight games without a hit for the catcher, who had never played more than 110 games in a season in his professional career.

Earlier this week Ellis said the problem wasn't physical, but mechanical. RBI hits in his past five games seem to indicate that Ellis' mechanics are back.

"I probably swung more often than usual but I'm also trying to be more aggressive," he said. "The season changes and the scouting report changes. Especially here in the last month or so, six weeks, I've seen a lot more strikes. People are attacking me, making me swing the bat."

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Saturday he saw some fatigue from the catcher, too - more mental than physical.

"A catcher, he's got a lot going on," Mattingly said. "A lot of studying he's doing. It's not like he's hitting and going to the outfield. He's hitting, he's got to call every pitch. The games we've been in, it's like 'we can't give up a run, we can't give up a run.' So his mind is always constantly on, almost like really intense mind - you're saying 'can't give up a run, can't give up a run, this is a big out.' He's going through that every pitch."

Ellis, who is eligible for arbitration after the season, knows the importance of proving that he can be an effective player through the end of September.

"I think guys know that," Ellis said. "My number one job is behind the plate, working with those guys, and I don't feel there's been any drop-off in the way I'm moving behind home plate. That's the biggest thing I'm worried about."

Notable

Mattingly said he hasn't decided whether Clayton Kershaw will make his final scheduled start of the season Wednesday if the Dodgers have been eliminated from playoff contention. - Hanley Ramirez's stolen base in the sixth inning was his second of the game and 20 th of the season. He has stolen at least 20 bases in seven consecutive seasons to begin his major league career. - Rockies center fielder Tyler Colvin was a late scratch due to soreness in his left elbow and was replaced in the lineup by Matt McBride. The team announced he is day-to-day. - The Rockies lost Jason Giambi for the remainder of the regular season with a hernia in his right groin. Along with injuries to Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler, Colorado was left with one healthy player on its bench. - Because to the closure of the 405 Freeway, parking at Dodger Stadium will open at 10:30 a.m. for the 1:10 p.m. start today.

Dodgers gain ground in wild-card standings with win, St. Louis loss

By J.P. Hoornstra

As long as the Dodgers are winning, and the St. Louis Cardinals are losing, one day can make a tremendous bit of difference in the National League wild-card standings.

Saturday was one of those days.

The Cardinals, down 4-3, came back to tie the Washington Nationals in the ninth inning before losing 6-4 in the 10 th. The final score flashed on the video board in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium, causing the announced crowd of 40,724 to voice its approval.

The Dodgers then proceeded to beat the Colorado Rockies 3-0 for their fourth straight win, pulling within two games of the Cardinals for the final wild-card berth with four games left in the season.

Starting pitcher Joe Blanton (10-13) didn't see the score flash on the video board, but still managed to figure out the Cardinals had lost.

"It got pretty loud," he said. "I figured it was something like that."

His feeling in the moment? "No different."

To make the playoffs, Blanton and the Dodgers know they'll need more help from a Cardinals team that has won nine of its past 12 games. At least the Dodgers are suddenly helping themselves.

Matt Kemp hit his 21 st and 22 nd home runs of the season, and Blanton and three relievers combined on a seven-hit shutout - the Dodgers' second shutout in as many days.

Kemp unloaded on a hanging curveball from Tyler Chatwood (5-6) in the fourth inning, launching the ball an estimated 461 feet to the upper reaches of the left-field pavilion. In the eighth inning, Kemp picked a more familiar trajectory - a lower arc over the right-field fence - for his opposite-field blast off Josh Roenicke in the eighth inning.

"It feels good to hit balls that hard," Kemp said. "Hopefully I can do that the next four, five days."

Kemp and Hanley Ramirez both went 3 for 4, A.J. Ellis and Adrian Gonzalez went 2 for 4, accounting for all of the Dodgers' 10 hits.

Ellis' fourth-inning single drove in Hanley Ramirez. The Dodgers have won their past four games by a combined score of 27-6.

This one was a bit closer than the past three, at least on paper. In reality, the Rockies never threatened, getting only one runner to third base against Blanton, Ronald Belisario, Kenley Jansen and Brandon League, who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his sixth save.

"A.J. called a great game," said Blanton, who won his first game since Aug. 29. "My cutter was good, curveball and slider were decent."

It was the type of game the Dodgers were expecting from Blanton, who had more postseason wins than their other starters combined when the right-hander was acquired from Philadelphia on Aug. 3. It was the type of game Blanton was hoping to pitch in too - though as a Dodger he was 1-4 with a 5.57 ERA prior to Saturday as the team's playoff hopes dimmed to a flicker.

Kemp's multi-homer game was his second of the season, the other coming April 14. The same shoulder and knee ailments that were blamed for Kemp's .159 batting average in 20 games after he crashed into the center-field wall Aug. 28 at Coors Field haven't simply disappeared.

Said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, "we know Matt's banged up but he's ready to go every day. ... 'Banged up' doesn't mean that every swing hurts."

It just means that he's often sore the morning after a game, Mattingly said, and that trainers have to perform "some maintenance" before each game to get Kemp loose.

As Kemp goes, so do the Dodgers, and in their four straight wins Kemp is 9 for 17 with three homers, three doubles and seven RBIs.

Dodgers third baseman Luis Cruz left the game in the seventh inning after complaining of a headache, but expects to be OK to play today.

He said the headache was the result of getting hit by a baseball behind his left ear in the Dodgers' indoor batting cage before the game.

Right-hander Josh Beckett will start today in search of a series sweep and his first win since Sept. 1. He's allowed only two runs in two starts at home since he was traded to the Dodgers on Aug. 25. The Rockies will counter with left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, who is making his third start of the season.

Sometime during the game, the Dodgers figure to learn how the Cardinals fared in their series finale against Washington.

Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki, whose RBI double in the 10 th inning made the difference Saturday, was given the following message from Mattingly:

"Win tomorrow."

TRUE BLUE LA

Sunday NL wild card standings: Dodgers move closer

By Eric Stephen

he Dodgers enter play Sunday two games back of the Cardinals in the race for the second National League wild card spot, with four games left to play.

The Dodgers got what they needed on Saturday, as they rode the hot bat of Matt Kemp to a win, while the Cardinals lost. It moved the Dodgers to within two games of St. Louis for the second wild card in the National League.

The Dodgers now need six of eight outcomes to go their way just to force a tie with St. Louis, which doesn't seem as bad as the 13-for-17 outcomes they needed four days ago. Here are the standings:

National League Second Wild Card SpotTeam W-L Pct GBSt. Louis 85-73 .538 ---Los Angeles 83-75 .525 2Milwaukee 81-77 .513 4Dodgers Magic Number: 7Dodgers Tragic Number: 3

Here is a recap of the relevant Saturday's game action:

Dodgers 3, Rockies 0: Matt Kemp hit a pair of home runs to lead the Dodgers to their fourth straight win. Not to be forgotten, Joe Blanton threw six scoreless innings for the victory.

Nationals 6, Cardinals 4 (10): Mike Morse hit one of the weirdest grand slams you will ever see in the first inning, but St. Louis clawed their way back to tie, including one run in the ninth to send the game into extra frames. But in the 10th inning Kurt Suzuki hit a two-run double to lead Washington to victory.

Brewers 9, Astros 5: Corey Hart homered twice, Aramis Ramirez homered once, and Marco Estrada struck out 11 in eight scoreless innings, keeping Milwaukee alive another day. The Brewers were up 9-0 in the ninth inning before Houston Dolly Parton'd their way to five runs, but that ain't no way to make a living.

Here is Sunday's schedule: 11:10 a.m. - Houston (Jordan Lyles) at Milwaukee (Michael Fiers) 11:15 a.m. - Washington (Ross Detwiler) at St. Louis (Lance Lynn) 1:10 p.m. - Colorado (Jorge De La Rosa) at Los Angeles (Josh Beckett)

For the Dodgers, everybody hurts

By Eric Stephen

Did a frayed labrum in his shoulder keep Matt Kemp from blasting the Rockies on Saturday? Afraid not, for Jim Tracy's Colorado crew, as Kemp hit two home runs in the Dodgers' 3-0 win over Colorado at Dodger Stadium.

Kemp was hitting .159/.216/.256 (13-for-82) in 20 games since hitting the center field wall at Coors Field in Denver on Aug. 28. Kemp suffered a right knee contusion in the collision, had to have x-rays on his jaw, and also damaged his left shoulder, which contributed to his long slump.

But that slump is history, judging by the last four games, during which Kemp has three home runs and three extra-base hits. Is Beast Mode, in fact, back?

"It looked like it. We'll see. Matt looked good. We know Matt's banged up," manager Don Mattingly said. "Banged up doesn't mean that every swing you take hurts. You have trouble getting loose, you get stiff in the morning, you have stuff going on. It doesn't mean you can't play and still do some things."

Kemp doing some things has helped the Dodgers to four straight wins, and a little bit closer to the Cardinals for the second wild card spot in the National League.

"It feels good to hit balls that hard," Kemp said. "Hopefully I can do that for the next four or five days."Kemp shied away from using his injuries as an excuse for his slump.

"I feel like any other player would feel when you get into September," Mattingly said. "Everybody is a little banged up in September. I'm not going to make excuses."

On a night when his banged up superstar hit two home runs, just one night after Clayton Kershaw pitched eight scoreless innings with no hindrance from a right hip impingement, it's no wonder that Mattingly agreed with Kemp's assessment.

"There's some maintenance going on just to get [Kemp] ready before the game. But with a lot of our guys, not just him," Mattingly said. "This time of year, everyone's a little banged up."

That everyone includes Luis Cruz, who was hit just behind the ear while in the indoor batting cage before the game. Cruz suffered a headache and eventually left the game after the seventh inning.

"They told me if I don't feel 100% to tell them, and I came out as a precaution," he said.

"He was just a little fuzzy," Mattingly said. "He looked a little funky out there too."

Cruz underwent tests after he exited the game and said he felt fine afterward. He expects to play on Sunday, which might actually save Cruz, as he was hit by his own batted ball that took a weird ricochet. The blow didn't sap his sense of humor.

"It was my fault," Cruz said, laughing. "I blame myself."

Joe Blanton was hit in the leg by a grounder off the bat of Jordan Pacheco in the sixth inning, a play that took Blanton a while to find the ball, allowing Pacheco to reach safely with an infield single. After the game Blanton said his leg was fine.

Up Next

The Dodgers go for a series sweep on Sunday afternoon, as well as their third straight shutout and fifth straight win in the series finale against the Rockies. Would-be wild card game starter Josh Beckett gets the call for the Dodgers, facing Jorge De La Rosa for Colorado.

Matt Kemp's long shots make Dodgers' shot not so long

By Eric Stephen

Matt Kemp hit a pair of home runs, including one near the top of the left field pavilion, to lead the Dodgers to a 3-0 win over the Rockies on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium. The fourth straight win for the Dodgers pulled them to within two games of the Cardinals, who lost on Saturday to the Nationals.

Kemp's home run in the fourth inning, to left field, was estimated at 461 feet, which made it the longest hit by a Dodger this season. The previous long, per ESPN Home Run Tracker, was 454 feet, also hit by Kemp, on April 25 against Atlanta.

His home run in the eighth was of the more traditional Kemp variety, a booming high fly to right field that carried into the seats. It was the second multi-home-run game of the season for Kemp and the fifth of his career. Kemp has six extra-base hits in his last four games: three doubles and three home runs.

That helped back Joe Blanton, who delivered his best start as a Dodger. Blanton struck out six and walked none, and pitched into the seventh inning without allowing a run. His Bill James game score of 64 is the best of his 10 starts as a Dodger.

The Dodgers had three first inning singles but didn't score, thanks to a 3-6-1 double play and a nifty diving catch by shortstop Josh Rutledge in short left field of a blooper by Hanley Ramirez that would have scored a run.

One of those first-inning singles was off the bat of Adrian Gonzalez, who extended his hitting streak to 11 games. The only Dodger with a longer hitting streak this season is Luis Cruz, who had a 12-game streak from July 17-29.

After Kemp's home run in the fourth inning, Ramirez singled and Shane Victorino walked to start a rally. The suddenly hot A.J. Ellis followed with a single to right field to score Ramirez for a 2-0 lead. That gave Ellis an RBI in five straight games, tying Andre Ethier (twice), Kemp, and Luis Cruz for the longest RBI streak by a Dodger this season.

The Rockies put two runners on in the fifth inning and had Tyler Chatwood bat for himself down 2-0 with two outs. Chatwood grounded into a force play to end the threat. What made the move even more perplexing was that Chatwood didn't even begin the fifth inning on the mound. Colorado was down to just one healthy bench player Saturday in Jonathan Herrera (Troy Renck has more details on the Rockies' infirmary at the Denver Post), which is amazing with expanded September roster limits.

Blanton was removed from the game after allowing a leadoff single to Chris Nelson in the seventh, but Ronald Belisario retired all three batters he faced to escape the mini-jam unscathed. Belisario, Kenley Jansen, and Brandon League combined to retire the final nine batters of the game.

Notes Perhaps the only downside of the game on Saturday for the Dodgers was that Cruz left the game after the

seventh inning with a headache. Ramirez stole two bases on Saturday, his first multi-steal game as a Dodger and his third such game this season.

Ramirez now has 20 stolen bases and 24 home runs on the season (six and 10, respectively, as a Dodger), the fifth 20-20 season of his career.

Blanton and the bullpen combined for 10 strikeouts and no walks, the fourth game this season the Dodgers have had at least 10 strikeouts and no walks.

Gonzalez doubled in the eighth inning, his 46th of the season to tie a career high set in 2007 with the Padres. Gonzalez has two hits in five of his last six games.

Dodgers starting pitchers have allowed 19 earned runs (22 total runs) in their last 13 games, a 2.33 ERA, and never more than three earned runs during that span.

Blanton was 0-for-2 at the plate on Saturday, and Dodger pitchers have two hits in their last 60 at-bats, with 26 strikeouts.

Before the game, Dodgers coach Manny Mota was honored for his 50 years in baseball and threw out a ceremonial first pitch.

Former Dodgers pitcher Bobby Castillo was also on hand, his first appearance at Dodger Stadium since suffering a stroke last season. Castillo also threw a first-pitch before the game, a strike to Fernando Valenzuela behind the plate, with several former Dodgers on hand.

Saturday's Particulars

Home Runs: Matt Kemp 2 (22)WP - Joe Blanton (10-13): 6+ IP, 7 hits, 6 strikeoutsLP - Tyler Chatwood (5-6): 4 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeoutsSv - Brandon League (15): 1 IP, 1 strikeout

OC REGISTER

Kemp's revival helps Dodgers

By Jeff Fletcher

LOS ANGELES - Matt Kemp is still around. And, not coincidentally, so are the Dodgers.

Just over a week ago, Kemp was struggling because of a sore shoulder and the Dodgers' playoff hopes were fading fast.

But after Saturday night's performance, in which Kemp hit two homers in a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies, things are looking just a little brighter in the Dodgers clubhouse.

Thanks to a loss by the St. Louis Cardinals, the Dodgers are two games out of the final wild-card spot, with four games to play.

If they end up falling short, they can take solace in the fact they are going down fighting, having won four in a row and five of six, and Kemp is going out looking like, well, Kemp.“I just think he's getting out of that little funk he was in,” Manager Don Mattingly said. “He just wasn't swinging at strikes. At some point he just had enough swinging at bad pitches.”

Kemp had been battling a sore shoulder since crashing into the fence on Aug. 28 at Colorado. He hit .104 in the 12 games after that. Kemp has hit .357 over his past 10 games, and he seemed to be pretty healthy when he blasted a Tyler Chatwood pitch 461 feet into the left-field bleachers in the fourth inning.

“I'm putting some good wood on mistake pitches and driving the ball,” Kemp said. “That's what I'm capable of doing. If I get strikes to hit, I can be a pretty good hitter.”

Kemp added another homer in the eighth. That was more than enough for Joe Blanton, who tossed six innings as the Dodgers shut out the Rockies for the second game in a row.

“The only thing we can do is win and force the team that you're chasing to win,” Mattingly said. “They don't get any gifts.”

Cruz could be everyday player for Dodgers in 2013

By Jeff Fletcher

LOS ANGELES – Luis Cruz has earned one very important believer: Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.

"He's established himself as, at the very least, someone to be talked about as an everyday guy (for 2013)," Mattingly said of Cruz, a journeyman who has been a revelation in his short time in the lineup.

It remains to be seen where Cruz fits into the 2013 picture. The Dodgers will first need to decide if Hanley Ramirez is going to play shortstop or third base next year. Cruz can play either of those positions, along with second. The Dodgers have Mark Ellis and Nick Punto also signed for next year.

If Cruz does end up as an everyday player next year, it would be another surprising chapter for the 28-year-old. He hit .221 in 56 major league games before this season. He was hitting .306 with five homers and 37 RBIs in 73 games with the Dodgers before Saturday's game.

"I'll be honest, I thought he was a guy who'd be exposed at some point or hit a cold spell," Mattingly said, "but he's shown nothing but being able to handle anything he's been given."

There is bound to be skepticism with any player who has a breakthough at his age, but Mattingly said he thinks Cruz might be the exception to baseball's normal development pattern.

"I know his track record and that he's spent a long time in the minor leagues, but I've seen some guys figure it out late," Mattingly said. "Casey Blake was a 28-year-old when he got to the big leagues. Gary Ward, a guy I played with, he picked it up late. Right now (Cruz) looks like one of those guys ... Right now it looks like he's not going to go away."

BILLINGSLEY'S PROGRESS

Chad Billingsley, who is trying to avoid Tommy John surgery, said his throwing program is going well so far. He's been playing catch for about a week, throwing two of every three days.

"I don't feel anything playing catch," Billingsley said. "Next Friday I'll start testing it, increasing velocity and distance."Billingsley said the team's plan is to get him up to where he could face hitters for a couple innings by the end of October. If he can't do that by then, or if he has any setbacks before that, he'll be shut down for Tommy John surgery, which would cost him all of the 2013 season.The Dodgers were willing to take the chance on allowing him to rehab, rather than immediately undergoing surgery, because he would miss next season if he had the surgery in September or November.

NOTES

The Dodgers celebrated Roberto Clemente Day by recognizing Clayton Kershaw, the team's nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, which honors a player for his community service. ...

The Dodgers scored at least eight runs in three consecutive games, before Saturday, for the first time since July 8-14, 2007. The last time they scored exactly eight runs in three consecutive games was June 9-11, 1956.

TODAY

RHP Josh Beckett (1-3, 3.16) opposes Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa (0-1, 9.45) at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast by Prime Ticket, KLAC/570 and KTNQ/1020 (Spanish).

Kemp’s homers help Dodgers beat Rockies, gain on Cards

By Jeff Fletcher

The Dodgers-Giants series to end the regular season will mean something. The first game will, at least.

The Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies, 3-0, on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium, pulling within two games of the St. Louis Cardinals for the final wild-card spot, with four games to play. The Dodgers are guaranteed to be mathematically alive until at least Monday, the 160th game of the season.

Winners of four in a row, the Dodgers conclude their series with the Rockies on Sunday and welcome the Giants for the final three of the regular season, starting on Monday. If the Dodgers and Cardinals finish tied for the second wild-card spot, the teams would play a tie-breaker on Thursday at Dodger Stadium, with the winner advancing to the wild-card game against the Braves on Friday in Atlanta.

Matt Kemp hit two homers, including a 461-foot blast into the left-field bleachers. It was his fifth career multihomer game, second this season.

Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez — the vaunted heart of the Dodgers’ order — combined for eight hits. Ramirez, who had three singles, also stole two bases. He now has 20 steals, marking the fifth time in his career he’s combined 20 homers and 20 steals.

Joe Blanton pitched his best game in a Dodgers uniform, blanking the Rockies for six-plus innings. Three Dodgers relievers collaborated on the final nine outs, with Brandon League recording the save.

The Dodgers, who shut out the Rockies in the first two games, will send Josh Beckett to the mound as they go for the sweep. Frankly they ought to be able to handle a Rockies team that bears little resemblance to the clubs you are accustomed to seeing in those black and purple uniforms.

Colorado’s best players – Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, Michael Cuddyer – are all hurt. In fact, they have so many players injured that, even with expanded September rosters, they had only one healthy position player on the bench, Jonathan Herrera. In the fifth inning, with runners at the corners, two outs and the Dodgers leading 2-0, Rockies pitcher Tyler Chatwood had to hit, even though he was coming out of the game. Chatwood grounded out, and the Rockies’ threat vanished.

ESPN DEPORTES

Dodgers se mantienen tras el 'milagro'

Rigo Cervantez

LOS ÁNGELES -- Los Dodgers de Los Angeles mantienen viva una llamita de esperanza, de poder alcanzar la postemporada por la vía del segundo comodín, luego de los resultados del sábado, que han permitido a los avecindados en el Elysian Park, acercarse a 2 juegos de los Cardenales de San Luis.

El equipo de Don Mattingly lograba su cuarta victoria consecutiva, al blanquear por 3-0 a los de Colorado, mientras que San Luis perdía 6-4 frente a los Nacionales de Washington.

Sin embargo, para los Cardenales (85-73), que cierran su serie en la capital del país frente a los Nationals, el número mágico para asegurar el comodín, sigue siendo 3.

Es decir, cualquier suma de triunfos de San Luis, con derrotas de los Dodgers que resulten en 3, habrá finalizado la carrera.

Mientras tanto, el equipo azul (83-75), seguirá en la batalla y este domingo culmina su tanda de tres duelos frente a los Rockies en Chávez Ravine.

Mattingly ve de titular a Luis Cruz

Rodrigo Azurmendi

LOS ÁNGELES -- Reflejando sobre la gran temporada de Luis Cruz, Don Mattingly aseguró que el mexicano se ganó al menos, de cara a la próxima temporada, el mote de jugador titular.

El dirigente de los Dodgers de Los Ángeles aseguró que lo demostrado en el diamante por el infielder lo convenció. "Como mínimo se estableció como un pelotero que puede jugar todos los días", aseguró.

En lo que va del 2012 Cruz ha bateado para .306, con cinco jonrones y 36 carreras remolcadas. Todo esto ha sido una grata sorpresa para el dirigente.

"Para ser honesto creí que en algún momento lo iban a descifrar o que iba a tener una mala racha", confesó. "Ha sido capaz de manejar todo lo que le tiraron. Luis vino y se apoderó del trabajo en mi opinión".

Quitarlo de la alineación sería un error, ya que el actual tercera base no le ha dado ninguna excusa para hacerlo.

"No hace nada que me indique que no lo ponga en la alineación", sostuvo. "Ha sido genial".

Mattingly aceptó que algunos jugadores se encuentran a sí mismos a una edad más avanzada que otros.

"He visto algunos jugadores destaparse de grandes", indicó. "Casey Blake llegó a las Grandes Ligas a los 28 años".

El sonorense está bajo contrato por un año más con los inquilinos del Chávez Ravine.

¿CAMPO CORTO O TERCERA BASE PARA HANLEY RAMÍREZ?

La posición en el campo de Hanley Ramírez ha sido piedra de la discordia desde antes de su arribo al sur de California.

Los Marlins de Miami firmaron para esta temporada al campo corto José Reyes, efectivamente desplazando al de Samaná a la antesala.

Es por eso que los Dodgers quieren definir el futuro del toletero antes que se embarque a jugar la temporada baja.

"Tiene que ser una decisión de la organización, pero que él también esté envuelto en eso", avisó Mattingly. "Cuando llegó nos dijo que estaba dispuesto a hacer lo que le pidamos porque lo que quería era ganar".

A pesar de admitir que no es el momento indicado para tratar dicha cuestión, el piloto angelino confesó que se tomarán en cuenta varios factores antes de alcanzar un veredicto.

"Luego de la temporada veremos diferentes cosas, entre ellas la actuación de Cruz, y decidiremos", concluyó.

"Queremos que sea pronto, antes que participe en pelota invernal. No queremos hacerlo temprano, para decidir un camino".

Dodgers se acercan con blanqueada

Rigo Cervantez

LOS ÁNGELES -- Por segunda noche en Chávez Ravine, los Dodgers blanqueron a los Rockies de Colorado, esta vez por pizarra final de 3-0, con dos cuadrangulares de Matt Kemp, para que Don Mattingly y los suyos mantengan la ilusión de alcanzar el segundo comodín de la Liga Nacional, ya que, aprovechando que san Luis perdía frente a los Nacionales, se colocaron a dos juegos de distancia de los Cardenales, ante la algarabía de 40,724 aficionados, en la noche de Manny Mota, que celebró sus 50 años como pelotero de grandes ligas, y sus 43 como miembro de los Dodgers.

"Es un triunfo muy bueno, porque Blanton tiró ceros para nosotros y Matt Kemp pegó dos buenos batazos a pesar de que está jugando con algunas dolencias y se encuentra muy aporreado. Sin embargo, estamos listos para salir a ganar mañana, porque eso es lo único que podemos hacer y, de esa manera, forzamos al equipo que va arriba de nosotros a ganar también," dijo Don Mattingly, el timonel azul.

Kemp, quien tuvo una noche super productiva, con tres imparables en sus 4 turnos por la caja de bateo, incluyendo dos de cuatro esquinas y 2 carreras producidas, en su segundo juego de la temporada con múltiples bambinazos, confió en que no todo está perdido para el equipo azul.

"Vamos a ver cómo termina todo esto, porque nosotros estamos haciendo todo lo que hay que hacer para ganar, los lanzadores están realizando un gran trabajo y nosotros estamos produciendo con el bate. Estamos haciendo algo que no habíamos hecho hasta hace poco: impulsar carreras después de dos outs," destacó Kemp, quien dijo sentirse bien, físicamente, a pesar de todo.

"En este momento de la temporada, no hay un beisbolista al que no le duela algo," se consoló el guardabosques central.

GANO BLANTON

Joe Blanton (10-13), fue el ganador, con su labor de 8 episodios y un piquito, permitiendo solamente 7 imparables y recetando 6 chocolates.

"Siento que mi actuación fue decente y se debe a que mis compañeros estuvieron muy bien, defensivamente," comentó Blanton, después del juego.

Perdió Tyler Chatwood (5-6), quien en 4 innings, fue castigado con 5 hits y 2 carreras. Todo iniciaba en el cierre de la cuarta vuelta, cuando los Dodgers toman la delantera con un monumental garrotazo de Matt Kemp que se convirtió en su batazo de vuelta entera número 21 en la temporada, una bola que viajó una eternidad, hasta alcanzar una distancia de 461 pies, para aterrizar en la parte alta del tablado que da al jardín izquierdo, sin corredores en base.

Luego, ya con dos outs en la cuenta, A.J. Ellis dispara sencillo a la derecha que impulsa la segunda anotación de la noche en los bombachos de Hanley Ramírez, quien se encontraba en la intermedia.

En la octava ronda Matt Kemp agrega su segundo vuelacercas de la noche, esta vez llevándose la cerca derecha, nuevamente sin corredores. Fue la quinta vez en su carrera que el jardinero central se dobletea con par de bambinazos en un juego.

PELOTAZO A LUIS CRUZ

El tercera base mexicano, Luis Cruz, que se fue en blanco en tres turnos, dejó el juego en la octava entrada, con dolores de cabeza.

"Fue por un pelotazo que recibí, aquí," dijo, señalando el maxilar izquierdo, por abajo de la oreja.

"Pero ya me vieron los doctores y estoy bien, listo para mañana," anuncio el tercera base sonorense.

UNO MAS

La serie entre Dodgers y Rockies culmina este domingo, con encuentro pactado para la 1:10 de la tarde, cuando el derecho Josh Beckett (1-3) tome el montículo por los de casa, mientras que el zurdo Jorge de la Rosa (0-1), lo hará por los de Colorado.

ECHO PARK-SILVER-LAKE PATCH

Dodgers to Honor Coach Manny Mota

The Los Angeles Dodgers will honor coach Manny Mota Saturday both at their 15th annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration La Gran Fiesta -- Viva Los Dodgers and their game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.

Comedian George Lopez will take to the stage in the stadium's Parking Lot 6 at 3 p.m. to pay tribute to Mota, who is in his 33rd season as a coach with the Dodgers and 43rd with the team.

Mota will sign autographs from 3-4 p.m. and throw a ceremonial first pitch marking a career in Major League Baseball that began in 1962 as an outfielder with the San Francisco Giants.

Mota's 33 consecutive years as a coach with the same team is the second longest streak in major league history, behind Nick Altrock, who coached for the Washington Senators from 1912-53. Mota is in his 14th season assisting and communicating with the Dodgers' Latin American players and coordinating all aspects of opponent charting.

Mota began his Dodger coaching career in 1980 as the first base coach and batting instructor.

Mota joined the Dodgers as a player on June 11, 1969 in a trade with Montreal Expos that also brought Maury Wills back to the team that had traded him following the 1966 season. His career batting average of .315 is the second highest in Los Angeles Dodger history among players with at least 1,800 at bats.

Mota set a major league record with 150 pinch hits, a mark broken in 2001 by Lenny Harris.

Mota was born Feb. 18, 1938 in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. He signed with the New York Giants in 1957 and made his major league debut on April 16, 1962 in a 19-8 victory over the Dodgers at Candlestick Park.The Giants traded Mota to the Houston Colt .45s following the 1962 season, who dealt him to the Pittsburgh Pirates four days before the start of the 1963 season. Mota remained with the Pirates through the 1968 season.

The Montreal Expos made Mota their first choice, and second overall, in the 1968 National League expansion draft.

Mota has a connection to the classic 1980 movie comedy "Airplane!" when passenger-turned-pilot Ted Striker (Robert Hays) hears voices in his head saying, "Pinch hitting for Pedro Borbon Manny Mota."

Mota and Borbon were never teammates.