Majestically merciless are these Dodgers of late.
Los Angeles knocked out an opposing starting pitcher after six outs for the second game in a row, delivering a trio of four-run innings in a 14-5 victory over Toronto.
A.J. Ellis had career highs of four hits and five RBI, two of the latter coming on a booming home run to dead center in the second inning that put the Dodgers ahead – to stay, to say the least.
Toronto had 13 hits of its own, but allowed 21 baserunners while also making five errors.
As was the case Sunday, the Dodgers ended tonight’s game tied for first place, pending the result of Arizona’s game later.
The Dodgers have won four consecutive games after the All-Star Break for the first time since 2007. That year, the streak put the Dodgers 13 games above .500, but the team finished 82-80.
Dodgers’ first four games after All-Star Break
2013: 4-0
2012: 1-3
2011: 1-3
2010: 0-4
2009: 2-2
2008: 1-3
2007: 4-0
KT
Nice Like to see that 4-0
Anonymous
A Tale of Two Teams. What a turnaround!
KT
linkmaster…Here’s the photo:
http://imgur.com/FXsmu3L
Anonymous
Yeah, noticed that during the Washington series and imagined as KT says that it is to protect his fingers when sliding.
Jon Weisman
The Dodgers were 9-10, then went 21-32, then went 21-5.
Vail Beach
That is one wacky clip from Kids in the Hall. I love Canadian humor. It’s probably tough for the Dodgers to keep a straight face, surrounded by all the funny people in Canada.
Jon Weisman
Arizona cuts Chicago lead to 3-2 in the sixth.
Anonymous
A true all around team victory!
Casey Barker
Best skit ever.
KT
Eric Stephen @truebluela4m
Just like we thought during spring training, the Dodgers turn to Kevin Gregg on July 22 to pitch them into first place
KT
Insurance run 4-2 cubbies
Anonymous
One more out.
Anonymous
Yes! First place!
KT
1ST PLACE BABY!!!!
foul tip
For me, a much better kind of “first place baby” than the one across the Pond they’re going on about so much over there. Much more interested in baseball royalty.
KT
pic.twitter.com/9iBln2jEYF
Jon Weisman
We … are the champions … for now …
Jon Weisman
And we’ll, keep on fighting, ’til the end …
foul tip
At least now it’s possible to think the 4-0 second half start might be mirrored after the World Series–Dodgers’ favor!
Before, an absurd fantasy. Now, a realistic possibility.
KT
Got to watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr3q9wRQdN8
KT
Link here’s a better shot of Hanley’s guard:
http://i.imgur.com/USgScv8.png
Jeffrey Thomas III
Great game, AJ was a stud today. Now that first is ours, let’s pad that lead!
Also the gnats got smashed, which is always fun.
Anonymous
Skip Schumaker, not a fan of Ryan Braun: http://sulia.com/channel/baseball/f/07922a03-9e9c-4204-898f-bba668a1018d/?source=twitter
Anonymous
If the International Olympic Committee can strip athletes who cheat of their medals, and the NCAA can vacate titles won by teams that are later proven to have cheated, why is it that baseball can’t strip accolades like MVP awards, batting titles (Melky Cabrera), and home run crowns from players who are found guilty of cheating?
I really don’t see any difference. You should not be allowed to profit from your transgressions.
You can argue about which seasons Bonds was using PEDs, and which home run crowns he should therefore have to abdicate (including the all-time record). But in Brauns’ case, the PED use was in the same year for which he won the award. Even if it weren’t Kemp who finished second, I’d feel the same way. Mike Piazza deserves Ken Caminiti’s 1996 award too.
Anonymous
So why was it when Brian Cushing tested positive for an illegal substance and the AP held a revote for his AFC Rookie Defensive Player of the Year award, Cushing won a second time?
Why isn’t Vince Young walking around with a Heisman Trophy? Besides the fact that they are sort of unwieldy to walk around with.
I don’t know if using the IOC or the NCAA as an exemplar of consistent rule application is the way to go. Those organizations are even more hypocritical than a 2012 Ryan Braun proclaiming his innocence.
Jon Weisman
They all *can* do it. I just don’t agree with it. Partly because I don’t agree with rewriting history, partly because it’s almost never as clean a tit-for-tat as you suggest. The fact that you even admit that the Bonds situation is murky shows how problematic it is.
Anonymous
I agree the Bonds situation is murky, but in clear-cut cases, I think organizing bodies have a responsibility to act.
If I had a Heisman trophy, I would walk around with it all the time. Same with Jim Thorpe’s gold medals.
Jon Weisman
NPUT