Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly on
the verge of a blockbuster trade, but their current lineup appeared more than
capable on Friday in the opener of a three-game series against the Miami
Marlins.
Andre Ethier, Hanley Ramirez, and Juan Rivera all homered in the 11-4 win for
the Dodgers, who are discussing a deal which would bring in first baseman
Adrian Gonzalez, outfielder Carl Crawford, right-hander Josh Beckett and
infielder Nick Punto from the Boston Red Sox, according to multiple reports.
In exchange, Los Angeles would ship first baseman James Loney, who was held
out of Friday's game, and minor leaguers to Boston.
Ethier belted a three-run homer in the first inning, Rivera led off the second
with a shot to right-center, and Ramirez added a two-run blast against his
former team an inning later.
Chad Billingsley, who had won six straight starts, exited after 3 1/3 innings
with a sore right elbow. The 28-year-old righty already endured a stint
on the 15-day disabled list this season due to right elbow inflammation and
hasn't lost since his return on July 23.
Jamey Wright (5-3) earned the win after allowing three hits -- including a
solo homer by Giancarlo Stanton -- over 1 2/3 innings of relief.
Ethier added an RBI single during a five-run seventh and finished 4-for-4
with three runs scored for the Dodgers, who were swept by the San Francisco
Giants in their previous series.
San Francisco defeated the Atlanta Braves on Friday to maintain a three-game
lead over Los Angeles atop the NL West.
Nathan Eovaldi (4-9), acquired from the Dodgers in the Ramirez trade last
month, was charged with six runs on seven hits over three innings in the
loss.
Jose Reyes hit a first-inning, two-run homer and Bryan Petersen added an RBI
groundout in the second for the Marlins, who were swept by the Arizona
Diamondbacks in the first-ever doubleheader at Chase Field on Wednesday.
Matt Kemp had an RBI single in the seventh before three runs crossed the plate
when third baseman Gregg Dobbs and Stanton committed errors on the same play.
Luis Cruz hit a slow roller to Dobbs, who threw the ball past Stanton at first
base, allowing Kemp and Ethier to score. Cruz headed to third base on the play
and came home on Stanton's errant throw across the diamond.
Ethier is now batting .387 (53-for-137) against the Marlins in his career,
which is tops among active players.
Game Notes
The Dodgers have won six of their last eight games against the Marlins ...
Billingsley was charged with three runs. He was the first Los Angeles pitcher
to win six straight starts since Kevin Brown won seven straight in 2003 ...
The five combined home runs on Friday marked a season-high for both teams ...
Eovaldi fell to 0-5 in 10 career games -- seven starts -- at Dodger Stadium.
The Sports Network