Wolf, Ramirez lead Dodgers by Mets 11-2
July 10, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—Randy Wolf(notes) was looking for a lucky number. All he really neededwas Manny Ramirez’s(notes) bat.
Ramirez hit two RBI singles to key an early outburst against strugglingstarter Livan Hernandez(notes), and Wolf pitched the Los Angeles Dodgers past the NewYork Mets 11-2 on Thursday night for his first win in eight outings.
Hoping to change his fortunes and avoid yet another no-decision, Wolf (4-3)switched Wednesday from jersey number 21 to 43—the digits he used to wear withPhiladelphia. One night later, he received a sudden surge of run support fromRamirez & Co.
“There’s not a baseball player that’s not superstitious,” Wolf said. “Andif they tell you they’re not, they’re lying.”
Dropped to seventh in the batting order, slumping All-Star Orlando Hudson(notes)responded with a three-run double that capped a four-run first inning. Leadoffman Rafael Furcal(notes) had three hits and scored three times, and the Dodgers cruisedto an easy victory that boosted baseball’s best record to 54-31.
Los Angeles took two of three in its first trip to Citi Field and won theseason series 5-1 against the injury-ravaged Mets, who have lost five of six and10 of 13.
Series at a Glance LA Dodgers 8 NY Mets 0 Tue, Jul 7 – Final LA Dodgers 4 NY Mets 5 Wed, Jul 8 – Final LA Dodgers 11 NY Mets 2 Thu, Jul 9 – Final
“When you fall behind that big that early, it’s a tough hole,” Mets thirdbaseman David Wright(notes) said. “We’ve got a room full of guys who have been intough times before. We have to turn this thing around and we are confident wecan do it.”
The only downer for the Dodgers: Hudson came out in the seventh after beinghit above the left knee by Brian Stokes’(notes) pitch. But the second baseman said hewas fine and expects to play Friday night in Milwaukee.
Russell Martin(notes) added a two-run single and Ramirez had a perfect night at theplate, going 2 for 2 with two walks before taking a seat in the seventh. He is 6for 18 (.333) with two homers and seven RBIs in six games since returning from a50-game drug suspension.
“I’m getting there. I haven’t played in two months. Got to go baby steps,”Ramirez said.
The Dodgers, who had 17 hits, drew 25 walks in the series.
“We’ve been aggressive. Manny makes a big difference in our lineup, there’sno question,” manager Joe Torre said. “I think it helps our personality whenguys who maybe put a little extra pressure on themselves when he was gone lookto him like a security blanket.”
New York Mets' Gary Sheffi… AP – Jul 9, 10:15 pm EDT
Wolf’s new uniform number brought a win, but perhaps most important was hismatchup with the fourth-place Mets (40-44).
The left-hander improved to 12-5 with a 3.29 ERA in 30 starts against NewYork, his most wins against any team. He is 6-0 in his last nine outings vs. theMets since losing on May 4, 2005, with the Phillies.
Wolf labored through 6 1-3 gritty innings, giving up seven hits and throwinga season-high 118 pitches. He entered 0-2 in seven starts since beating theChicago Cubs 2-1 on May 28.
Hernandez (5-5) allowed hits to his first three batters and was hammered forfour innings while dropping his fourth straight start. Serving up his usualarray of soft stuff, the right-hander yielded eight runs and 11 hits—bothseason highs—while walking four.
Three of the 12 outs made by the Dodgers while he was on the mound came whenrunners were thrown out on the bases, including a pickoff play. Another out cameon a sacrifice bunt.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny… AP – Jul 9, 9:22 pm EDT
After three solid months in the rotation, Hernandez has been terrible inJuly. He has given up 15 earned runs, 21 hits and eight walks over seven inningsin two starts against first-place teams: Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
Mets manager Jerry Manuel wouldn’t rule out removing Hernandez from therotation after the All-Star break.
“We have to think of all the options at this point,” Manuel said.“Everything is possible.”
Batting seventh for the first time this season, Hudson snapped a 2-for-32slide with a first-inning double that made it 4-0.
“It’s a good lineup. I don’t think when we rearrange the pieces that youcan really go wrong,” Torre said.
NOTES: The last time Hernandez lost four consecutive starts in one seasonwas 2002. … Torre said he might give Ramirez a rest this weekend in Milwaukee.… Ramirez is 7 for 10 with a homer and seven RBIs against Hernandez. … Wolfwas 6-1 with a 2.85 ERA in 14 starts at the Mets’ previous home, Shea Stadium.… The Dodgers won the season series for the first time since going 4-2 in2002. … Mets cleanup hitter Gary Sheffield(notes) was ejected by plate umpire MartyFoster after getting called out on strikes to end the seventh.
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