Game 157: Dodgers @ Colorado Rockies 11:4

The Dodgers routed the lowly Rockies Tuesday night, 11-4. More importantly, it gave them the lead in the National League Wild Card race. And that still wasn't the best part. Because Greg Maddux only needed 76 pitches, he should be able to go on short rest in the Giants series.

Maddux seems confident on pitching on short rest.

"I don't get as sore as I used to," the 322-game winner explained.
"I don't throw hard enough anymore to get sore."

He sure befuddled the Rockies, who had been on a tear at Coors Field this month.

Maddux improved to 14-14 on the year by allowing just three earned runs and seven hits with no walks and three strikeouts in six innings. Maddux said he never felt comfortable at Coors Field, where his six wins is the most by an opposing pitcher.

"Nope. You wake up panicking and hope to get through six
when come here," he said. "Tough place to pitch. Tip your hat.
The boys scored a lot of runs today. Eleven runs makes it a lot easier."

The Dodgers bats sure do seem to be coming alive. Nomar Garciaparra drove in three runs and hit his 20th homer despite straining a muscle in his side trying to avoid a tag at the plate in the first inning. This is the first season Nomar has hit at least 20 home runs since 2003. His big day helped the Dodgers move one game in front of Philadelphia, which lost 4-3 at Washington, in the wild-card race.

"I'll trade an injury for a home run any day," said Garciaparra,
who left the game after homering in the fifth. "I'll do that any time
as long as we keep winning. I'll be back in the lineup tomorrow.
I'll play through this. We were scoring some runs and Grady said,
'Let's take you out.' He said, 'Go take care of it."'

Russell Martin had a bases-loaded triple in the sixth and drove in four runs as the Dodgers were able to empty their bench and play seven reserves. Marlon Anderson singled, doubled and homered for the Dodgers, who are two games behind first-place San Diego in the NL West. Anderson's homer capped a six-run sixth that made it 11-1.

The Dodgers scored three times in a wild first inning in which the Rockies committed an error and had a mental miscue and right-hander Jason Jennings surrendered two bloop singles and Martin's infield run-scoring single.

Rafael Furcal led off with a bloop single to center, stole second and scored on Kenny Lofton's triple down the right-field line. Garciaparra followed with a bloop single to center to score Lofton. Jeff Kent reached on an error by second baseman Kaz Matsui, who booted the ball twice. J.D. Drew walked to load the bases and Martin dribbled a ball in front of the plate. Rookie catcher Chris Iannetta didn't chase down the ball and Jennings had to try to field it and tag out Garciaparra, who got hurt trying to avoid the charging pitcher, who missed the ball anyway.

Garciaparra hit his 20th homer in the fifth, a two-run shot following a walk to Lofton. Kent then drew a walk and came around to score on Anderson's double down the right-field line.

Random thoughts:

1) With Nomar possibly being injured, this is the time we need Loney to step it up and prove he is ready for the big leagues.

2) This was Maddux' twelth victory against the Rockies, the third most wins against the Rockies among all pitchers.

3) The Dodgers are pretty much in charge of their own destiny now. Each game needs to be played with playoff mindset. Each game, it its own right, is a must win.