LAst Night's Action: Dodgers Squeak by Nats

Rafael Furcal cheered by Dodger fans in Washington after his solo jack in the eighth inning. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

LA Dodgers defeat Washington Nationals 7-6. What is it about the Washington Nationals that confound the Dodgers? The Dodgers pounced on rookie starter JD Martin with a four-spot in the first inning thanks to a Manny Ramirez RBI single and a Matt Kemp Earl Weaver. But they allowed the Nationals to come back and eventually tie the game up at six in the sixth inning. But Rafael Furcal led off the eighth inning with a solo shot to put the game out of the way. Furcal was a triple short of the cycle while Kemp was a double short of the cycle. Furcal now has two consecutive games of four-hit ball, and Kemp with his homer in the first inning collected his 100th RBI. Kemp and Andre Ethier become the first Dodgers duo to have 100 RBI since 2001 when Shawn Green and Gary Sheffield. With the Rockies loss to the Padres the Dodgers magic number for the NL West is four.

Notable Notes

• Hall of fame center Wayne Gretzky announced in his blog that he would be resigning his position as head coach and director of hockey operations for the beleaguered Phoenix Coyotes. Since the Coyotes moved from Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1996 they have lost $300 million losing at least $34 million in each of the past three years. With the franchise stuck in bankruptcy court and the ownership situation still up in the air, Gretzky felt any ownership situation didn’t include him in the plans. Interestingly enough Gretzky still has a 10% ownership stake in the club.
• This video below is precious. A Phillies fan decide to record the action on his camcorder while giving his own version of play-by-play. Let’s just say that he’s no Harry Kalas. Anyhow after watching this many many times while guffawing to it, I realize that all sports fans can identify with this guy. Mwahahahahaa.