The Dodgers move back into first place

The Dodgers won 3 of 4 from the Diamondbacks to finish their roadtrip, moving them into a tie with San Diego for first in the NL West. The Dodgers outscored Arizona 23-13 in the serires. Here is a summary of the four games:

Game 1 - Dodgers win 8-1 on Brad Penny's stellar pitching. Penny improved to 10-1 and catcher Russell Martin led on offense going 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs. Wilson Betemit again showed his pinch hitting prowess getting his 4th pinch-hit HR of the year. In 24 pinch hit at bats this year, Betemit has 8 hits: 2 doubles and 4 HRs for a .333 avg.

Game 2 - Takashi Saito picked up his 21st save for the season giving the Dodgers a 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks. Saito pitched the bottom of the 10th inning after Tony Abreu hit a pinch hit tie breaking HR in the top of the inning. Abreu was given his first MLB HR ball by the generous Arizona fans who caught it. 1B James Loney rewarded manager Grady Little with 2 run HR in the 2nd inning. Little has begun the process of giving Loney the reigns at 1B full time by moving Nomar Garciaparra over to 3B. Nomar went 0 for 5 in his Dodger debut at 3B.

Game 3 - Arizona pitcher Brandon Webb outpitched Derek Lowe to give the Diamondbacks a 2-0 victory. Dodger 1B Loney went 3 for 4 to raise his season's batting average to .500. Rafael Furcal and Juan Pierre continued to struggle going a combined 0 for 8 at the top of the lineup.

Game 4 - The Dodgers greeted Randy Johnson's return from the DL by getting 6 hits and 4 runs off the former Cy Young winner who lasted just 3 inning. One of those hits was a HR by Martin in the 1st inning with Furcal on base. Both Furcal and Pierre added 2 hits each and scored 3 runs combined. Martin led the offense (as usual) with a 3-6, 3 runs, 3 hits, 2 RBI performance. Dodgers' starter Randy Wolf struggled a bit, giving up 6 walks, but managed to hold on to get the win to improve to 9-6 on the season. Saito picked up his 22nd save as the Dodgers won 9-5.


RUMORS: More rumors surround the Teixeira to Dodgers trade. No names have been mention from the Dodgers, but it will more than likely involve prospects as Texas is entering a rebuilding stage. Texas doesn't need another 1B, so Loney would likely not be traded. The top prospects in the Dodgers' fram system are pitchers; however, with big signee Jason Schmidt lost for the season and the instability of rookie Chad Billingsley - the Dodgers may not part with pitching talent. My take is this trade is the best availabel out there for the Dodgers, but it is one they should not be pressed to make and will likely let it fall through without making the deal.

One analyst writes: "Loney fails to provide the power the Dodgers are looking for over the next several weeks. He may eventually become Mark Grace, but could disappoint in the short term." So far, Loney has disproven this rumor going 7 for 13 with a double and HR with 3 RBIs in the short term. Mark Grace? Naaahhh.... I know its still early, but I see Steve Garvey like numbers in his future.

Next series starts at home tonight against San Diego.