Game 76: Dodgers @ Minnesota 2:8

It was their first trip back to Minnesota since the 1965 World Series, when the Dodgers won the seven game series.

The outcome was different this time around with Joe Mauer, Nomar Garciaparra's counterpart in the American League batting race, leading the Minnesota Twins to an 8-2 victory over Los Angeles.

Starting pitcher for the Dodgers, Chad Billingsley got the loss, giving up six runs, all earned, in five and two-thirds innings. He gave up seven walks and hit a batter in his effort. He only struck out two while throwing just 55 strikes out of the 103 pitches he tossed.

Nomar Garciaparra raised his National League leading batting average to .364 with a two-for-four effort that included an RBI.

Rafael Furcal singled and stole second in the third, scoring on Garciaparra's single, cutting Minnestoa's lead to 4-2. No Dodger made it past first base after that.

Andre Ethier knocked the other Dodger run in, while going one-for-three.

Random Notes:

1) The Dodgers didn't look good out there. They hit a lot of balls hard, but right at the Twins. I guess that is part of the game, but it is frustrating just the same. This game was an important one, as the Dodgers now face the twins top two pitchers.

2) Wednesday, Odalis Perez has perhaps his final chance to show he can turn it around. He gets the emergency spot start because of Tomko's injury. Perez needs to step it up now.

3) Which brings me to this thought: Why isn;t Tomko on the DL? If he is too injured to pitche, then it would make more sense to let him get healed andnot take up a roster spot. There are a few in the minors that could get called up to replace him. I have been itching to see Scott Elbert in Dodger blue.

4) It was nice to see the Twins include 1965 Dodgers Lou Johnson and Willie Davis in their ceremonial first pitch celebrations.