CINCINNATI – Zack Cozart hit his first major league homer on
Sunday, and the Cincinnati Reds used a disputed call and a pair of
wild pitches by Jaime Garcia to rally for a 3-1 victory over the
St. Louis Cardinals.

The defending NL Central champs got a much-needed win against
Garcia (9-4), who was 5-0 in his career against them.

Cardinals shortstop Ryan Theriot was ejected while arguing a
call in the sixth that set up the tying run. Garcia then threw a
pair of wild pitches that let Cincinnati pull even.

Ryan Hanigan singled home the tiebreaking run an inning later,
and Cozart homered in the eighth.

Homer Bailey (4-4) gave up three hits, including Lance Berkman’s
25th homer, in 7 1-3 innings. Bailey got his first win since May
16.

Francisco Cordero, who blew his last three save chances before
the All-Star break, improved to 18 for 23 with a perfect ninth.

Phillies 8, Mets 5: Michael Martinez hit a
three-run shot for his first major league homer to back a steady
outing by Kyle Kendrick and lead Philadelphia past New York for its
seventh straight series win.

Giants 4, Padres 3, 11 innings: Chris Stewart
drove in the go-ahead run with a suicide squeeze in the 11th
inning, then pounced on a bunt moments later to start a slick
double play that helped San Francisco hold off San Diego.

The Giants stole six bases, two by Burriss, to tie a San
Francisco record.

Javier Lopez (5-1) pitched two innings for the win and Brian
Wilson wriggled out of a jam for his 28th save in 32 chances.

Braves 9, Nationals 8: Freddie Freeman singled
home the winning run in the ninth inning following an intentional
walk, giving Atlanta a victory.

Craig Kimbrel (3-2) worked a scoreless ninth.

Danny Espinosa had three hits, including a two-run homer and an
RBI triple for Washington.

Brewers 4, Rockies 3: Shaun Marcum tossed five
solid innings before leaving with a strained neck and Milwaukee
held off Colorado to win consecutive road games for the first time
in six weeks.

Rickie Weeks, Casey McGehee and Nyjer Morgan had two hits each
for Milwaukee.

Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 1: Daniel Hudson threw
a five-hitter, belted his first big league home run and finished
with three RBIs, almost single-handedly leading Arizona past Los
Angeles.

Pirates 7, Astros 5, 11 innings: Pinch-runner
Josh Harrison scored on a passed ball for the first of Pittsburgh’s
three runs in the 11th and rookie Alex Presley drove in his third
run of the game later in the inning to lead the Pirates over
mistake-prone Houston.

Pittsburgh closer Joel Hanrahan allowed an RBI double to Chris
Johnson that tied it 4-all in the eighth, the All-Star’s first
blown save of the season. That broke a streak of 28 straight saves
dating to last year.

Marlins 7, Cubs 5: Greg Dobbs hit a two-run
homer and drove in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded walk in the
eighth inning, leading Florida past Chicago.

After Dobbs’ walk against Kerry Wood (1-5), Logan Morrison
capped the Marlins’ three-run rally with a two-run single that made
it 7-4.

 

Read More: Brandon Phillips (2B – CIN), Jamey Carroll (2B – LOS), Matt Kemp (CF – LOS), Aaron Miles (2B – LOS), Joey Votto (1B – CIN), Ramon Troncoso (P – LOS), Clayton Kershaw (P – LOS), Carlos Fisher (P – CIN), Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers at Cincinnati Reds, Jun 4, 2011 1:10 PM PDT

The Dodgers staged a pair of late rallies to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 11-8 in 11 innings on Saturday in one of the most improbable comebacks since the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles 53 years ago. Matt Kemp hit two home runs and drove in a career-high six runs, including a game-tying grand slam in the eighth inning after the Dodgers were down 7-2. The Dodgers scored four runs in the 11th off Carlos Fisher to grab the lead.

On the Fox broadcast of the game, it was noted that today’s win by the Dodgers was just their fourth since moving to Los Angeles when they were trailing after seven innings by five or more runs. The last occurrence was on May 9, 1994 against the Astros. The Dodgers were down by those five runs because starter Clayton Kershaw faded fast after a tremendous start.

Kershaw came into the game with a 12-inning scoreless streak, and through five innings he was nearly untouchable. He struck out nine of the first 15 hitters he faced, allowing just one hit. He faced the minimum number of batters, too, because he picked off Joey Votto after the reigning MVP singled. However, the Reds staged a two-out rally in the sixth, tying the game on a bloop single by Brandon Phillips before Votto crushed a slider for a three-run home run to give the Reds a 4-1 lead. The Reds added three more runs in the seventh, which gave them a seemingly insurmountable 7-2 lead.

To put the Dodgers’ comeback in perspective, the Dodgers had only scored five runs in a game 18 times in their first 58 contests. Yet, they plated five runs in the eighth, then four more in the 11th to pick up the improbable win. In addition to Kemp, Jamey Carroll had four hits and a walk, and drove in the go-ahead run in the 11th with an RBI single. Aaron Miles had three hits and drove in three runs himself.

Rookie Javy Guerra pitched 1 1/3 innings, in the 10th and 11th innings, picking up his first major league win. Guerra even batted in the top of the 11th, and walked in his first plate appearance as a professional. Ramon Troncoso got the final two outs to close out the win, but not before the Reds got the tying run to the plate in Brandon Phillips.

For more news and information on today’s game, or on the Dodgers, be sure to read the SB Nation blog True Blue LA.

By Joe Kay,

Associated Press

Updated 9:04 PM Saturday, June 4, 2011

CINCINNATI — Matt Kemp hit a tying grand slam in the eighth inning for his second homer of the game, and Jamey Carroll singled in the go-ahead run in the 11th, sending the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 11-8 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.

The Dodgers pulled off their biggest comeback of the season and improved to 5-0 in extra innings.

Carroll’s fourth hit started a four-run rally off Carlos Fisher (0-3). Aaron Miles also singled home a run, and Fisher’s throwing error helped the Dodgers pull away. Kemp finished it with a run-scoring forceout for his career-high sixth RBI.

Rookie Javy Guerra (1-0) pitched out of a threat in the 10th for his first big league win.

The Reds scored a run in the 11th before Ramon Troncoso got Brandon Phillips to fly out with two runners aboard. The Dodgers improved to 27-10 against the Reds since 2006.

The Reds took advantage of Clayton Kershaw’s fade on a steamy afternoon, pulling ahead 7-2 after seven innings. Joey Votto’s three-run homer off the left-hander put right-hander Johnny Cueto in line for his first career win over the Dodgers.

The NL’s busiest bullpen couldn’t hold on. Cincinnati’s relievers lead the league in innings, and manager Dusty Baker used six on Saturday without success.

Los Angeles sent nine batters to the plate in the eighth. Miles singled home a run off Nick Masset, and Kemp hit the second pitch from Logan Ondrusek for his sixth career grand slam, tying it at 7.

Kemp has 15 homers overall, two behind Cincinnati’s Jay Bruce for the NL lead.

Kershaw was coming off his second career shutout and handled the Reds with ease through the first five innings, fanning nine on a nasty afternoon — 91 degrees, sunny and humid. Votto’s eighth homer in the sixth finally got the Reds going.

Cincinnati pulled away after Kershaw left in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Chris Heisey doubled home a pair of runs off Mike MacDougal and scored on Drew Stubbs’ double for a 7-2 lead. Six of the runs were charged to Kershaw, the most he’s allowed this season.

The Dodgers put two more players on the disabled list before the game, adding to their devastating run of injuries.

Shortstop Rafael Furcal strained muscles in his left side during the Reds’ 2-1 win on Friday night, sidelining him for the second time this season. Furcal broke his left thumb in April. Starter Jon Garland also went on the DL with a sore pitching shoulder.

That makes 13 Dodgers sidelined by injury so far, including five relievers and three-fourths of their infield at various points.

NOTES: The crowd of 40,324 represented the Reds’ fifth sellout this season. … The Dodgers called up INF Ivan De Jesus and RHP John Ely to fill the roster spots. … The Reds expect to call up RHP Edinson Volquez next week. He was sent down on May 23 to fix his control problems. … 2B Phillips returned after sitting out one game with a sore wrist. He made a barehanded grab-and-throw on Miles’ grounder to get an out in the sixth. … Phillips’ RBI single in the sixth snapped an 0-for-13 slump. … The Reds are 4-3 in extra innings.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Matt Kemp couldn’t believe the mid-afternoon heat during batting practice.

“After BP, I was like this,” he said, dropping his head as if he was about to pass out. “Whew!”

The heat won’t be the lasting memory from his career game.

Kemp hit a tying grand slam in the eighth inning for his second homer of the game, and Jamey Carroll singled in the go-ahead run in the 11th, sending the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 11-8 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.

The Dodgers pulled off their biggest comeback of the season and improved to 5-0 in extra innings.

Carroll’s fourth hit started a four-run rally off Carlos Fisher (0-3). Aaron Miles also singled home a run, and Fisher’s throwing error helped the Dodgers pull away. Kemp finished it with a run-scoring forceout for his career-high sixth RBI.

“It was real hard, but I made it through it,” Kemp said, cracking open a bottle of water in front of his locker. “It was definitely a big game for me.”

And for the depleted Dodgers, who sent two more players to the disabled list but managed to pull one out anyway. Rookie Javy Guerra (1-0) pitched out of a threat in the 10th for his first big league win.

The Reds scored a run in the 11th before Ramon Troncoso got Brandon Phillips to fly out with two runners aboard. The Dodgers improved to 27-10 against the Reds since 2006.

The Reds took advantage of Clayton Kershaw’s fade on a steamy afternoon, pulling ahead 7-2 after seven innings. Toronto native Joey Votto’s three-run homer off the left-hander put right-hander Johnny Cueto in line for his first career win over the Dodgers.

The NL’s busiest bullpen couldn’t hold on. Cincinnati’s relievers lead the league in innings, and manager Dusty Baker used six on Saturday without success.

“That’s tough to take,” Baker said. “That just goes to show how things can change on you in a minute.”

Los Angeles sent nine batters to the plate in the eighth. Miles singled home a run off Nick Masset, and Kemp hit the second pitch from Logan Ondrusek for his sixth career grand slam, tying it at seven.

Kemp has 15 homers overall, two behind Cincinnati’s Jay Bruce for the NL lead. He’s among the league leaders in various offensive categories, batting .318 with 46 RBIs.

“He’s kind of putting it all together,” manager Don Mattingly said. “Over the course of the season, we see what Matt’s capable of. Though he’s had good seasons, we knew he was capable of more.”

Kershaw was coming off his second career shutout and handled the Reds with ease through the first five innings, fanning nine on a nasty afternoon — 32 Celsius, sunny and humid. Votto’s eighth homer in the sixth finally got the Reds going.

“I threw a slider that he hit for a three-run homer,” Kershaw said. “I can’t throw that pitch right there. I’ve got to get it down.”

Cincinnati pulled away after Kershaw left in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Chris Heisey doubled home a pair of runs off Mike MacDougal and scored on Drew Stubbs’ double for a 7-2 lead. Six of the runs were charged to Kershaw, the most he’s allowed this season.

The Dodgers put two more players on the DL before the game, adding to their devastating run of injuries.

Shortstop Rafael Furcal strained muscles in his left side during the Reds’ 2-1 win on Friday night, sidelining him for the second time this season. Furcal broke his left thumb in April. Starter Jon Garland also went on the DL with a sore pitching shoulder.

That makes 13 Dodgers sidelined by injury so far, including five relievers and three-fourths of their infield at various points.

NOTES: The crowd of 40,324 represented the Reds’ fifth sellout this season. … The Dodgers called up INF Ivan De Jesus and RHP John Ely to fill the roster spots. … The Reds expect to call up RHP Edinson Volquez next week. He was sent down on May 23 to fix his control problems. … Votto’s homer was his second in June. He hit one in May. … 2B Phillips returned after sitting out one game with a sore wrist. He made a barehanded grab-and-throw on Miles’ grounder to get an out in the sixth. … Phillips’ RBI single in the sixth snapped an 0-for-13 slump. … The Reds are 4-3 in extra innings.

By JOE KAY
AP Baseball Writer

CINCINNATI (AP) – Matt Kemp couldn’t believe the mid-afternoon heat during batting practice.

“After BP, I was like this,” he said, dropping his head as if he was about to pass out. “Whew!”

The heat won’t be the lasting memory from his career game.

Kemp hit a tying grand slam in the eighth inning for his second homer of the game, and Jamey Carroll singled in the go-ahead run in the 11th, sending the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 11-8 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.

The Dodgers pulled off their biggest comeback of the season and improved to 5-0 in extra innings.

Carroll’s fourth hit started a four-run rally off Carlos Fisher (0-3). Aaron Miles also singled home a run, and Fisher’s throwing error helped the Dodgers pull away. Kemp finished it with a run-scoring forceout for his career-high sixth RBI.

“It was real hard, but I made it through it,” Kemp said, cracking open a bottle of water in front of his locker. “It was definitely a big game for me.”

And for the depleted Dodgers, who sent two more players to the disabled list but managed to pull one out anyway. Rookie Javy Guerra (1-0) pitched out of a threat in the 10th for his first big league win.

The Reds scored a run in the 11th before Ramon Troncoso got Brandon Phillips to fly out with two runners aboard. The Dodgers improved to 27-10 against the Reds since 2006.

The Reds took advantage of Clayton Kershaw’s fade on a steamy afternoon, pulling ahead 7-2 after seven innings. Joey Votto’s three-run homer off the left-hander put right-hander Johnny Cueto in line for his first career win over the Dodgers.

The NL’s busiest bullpen couldn’t hold on. Cincinnati’s relievers lead the league in innings, and manager Dusty Baker used six on Saturday without success.

“That’s tough to take,” Baker said. “That just goes to show how things can change on you in a minute.”

Los Angeles sent nine batters to the plate in the eighth. Miles singled home a run off Nick Masset, and Kemp hit the second pitch from Logan Ondrusek for his sixth career grand slam, tying it at 7.

Kemp has 15 homers overall, two behind Cincinnati’s Jay Bruce for the NL lead. He’s among the league leaders in various offensive categories, batting .318 with 46 RBIs.

“He’s kind of putting it all together,” manager Don Mattingly said. “Over the course of the season, we see what Matt’s capable of. Though he’s had good seasons, we knew he was capable of more.”

Kershaw was coming off his second career shutout and handled the Reds with ease through the first five innings, fanning nine on a nasty afternoon – 91 degrees, sunny and humid. Votto’s eighth homer in the sixth finally got the Reds going.

“I threw a slider that he hit for a three-run homer,” Kershaw said. “I can’t throw that pitch right there. I’ve got to get it down.”

Cincinnati pulled away after Kershaw left in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Chris Heisey doubled home a pair of runs off Mike MacDougal and scored on Drew Stubbs’ double for a 7-2 lead. Six of the runs were charged to Kershaw, the most he’s allowed this season.

The Dodgers put two more players on the DL before the game, adding to their devastating run of injuries.

Shortstop Rafael Furcal strained muscles in his left side during the Reds’ 2-1 win on Friday night, sidelining him for the second time this season. Furcal broke his left thumb in April. Starter Jon Garland also went on the DL with a sore pitching shoulder.

That makes 13 Dodgers sidelined by injury so far, including five relievers and three-fourths of their infield at various points.

NOTES: The crowd of 40,324 represented the Reds’ fifth sellout this season. … The Dodgers called up INF Ivan De Jesus and RHP John Ely to fill the roster spots. … The Reds expect to call up RHP Edinson Volquez next week. He was sent down on May 23 to fix his control problems. … Votto’s homer was his second in June. He hit one in May. … 2B Phillips returned after sitting out one game with a sore wrist. He made a barehanded grab-and-throw on Miles’ grounder to get an out in the sixth. … Phillips’ RBI single in the sixth snapped an 0-for-13 slump. … The Reds are 4-3 in extra innings.

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