The Dodgers Have Gone Fishin’!

Dodgers Lineup vs. Miami

Joe Blanton-8-9 vs. Ricky Nolasco-8-11

Thar she blows! Off the starboard port! The Dodgers went fishing yesterday, and reeled in first place. After the Dodgers beat the Marlins last night 5-2, and coupled with the Giants 3-0 loss at home to Colorado, the Dodgers moved back into a first place tie in the NL West. Arizona also lost their game to Washington, and they remain four games back.

Tonight, the Dodgers will look to continue their momentum and keep putting pressure on the Giants. In the second game of this three game series, the Dodgers will give the ball to Joe Blanton. Joe was just acquired at the trade deadline from Philadelphia, and made his Dodger debut last week. Blanton has pitched very well against the Fish. In his career, Blanton is 7-4 with a 3.58 ERA and 68 whiffs against the Fish. In his debut last week with the Blue, Blanton walked three for only the second time this season, but turned in a quality start. He pitched six frames, allowing just two runs. The Marlins are only hitting .244 (31 for 127) off of Blanton. He has kept everyone quiet. Jose Reyes, who was out of the lineup yesterday, is hitting just .194 (6 for 31), with a home run and four RBI. Giancarlo Stanton is batting . 188 (3 for 16), with a home run. He’ll have to watch out for Carlos Lee. The slugger is .500 (9 for 18), off of Blanton with three doubles. Blanton is 8-9 against the rest of the league.

The Fish will counter with righty Ricky Nolasco. The 29 year old from Corono CA, is 8-11 this year with Miami, with a 4.95 ERA. Nolasco has been struggling. He has lost five in a row, during which time his ERA in that span is 6.91. His last win was July 6 at St.Louis. In his career against the Dodgers he is 0-2 with a 7.33 ERA. The Dodgers are hitting .301 against Nolasco, (34 for 113) collectively. Expect Jerry Hairston in the lineup tonight. He pounds Nolasco, to the tune of a .500 average (8 for 16), with five doubles, a triple, and three RBI. Matt Kemp is just 2 for 8 with the only home run. Andre Ethier is batting .600 off of Nolasco (6 for 10), with a double. Adam Kennedy is 4 for 13 (.308) with three RBI. Shane Victorino has struggled though against Nolasco. He is .171 (6 for 35) with two doubles. However Nolsaco rarely walks anyone, only allowing 40 free passes all season long.

Game time is at 4:10PM and televised on KCAL. The Giants will be home again versus Colorado. Let’s keep the pressure on the Giants. With a win, and another Giants loss the Boys in Blue could re-takeover sole possession of first place. After the game we’ll have our usual continuing Dodger coverage. Don’t miss it. Go Blue.