Just like old times: Andre Ethier coming through in the clutch, hitting the go-ahead home run in the ninth inning and pushing the Dodgers to a winning record. What a guy, huh?
Ethier hits like a champ off this Rafael Soriano, and last night was no different. He golfed a low-and-inside slider into the right field bleachers for a gravity-defying round-tripper that broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Dodgers their 18th win in the last 23 games, 3-2 over the Washington Nationals.
But it was truly a team effort. Ricky Nolasco did a fine job as starting pitcher, and Yasiel Puig dazzled in the outfield as usual. I don’t think trying to tell him to take it a little easier is actually working. He hit the wall again last night. I get the feeling he thinks he’s made out of flubber and can bounce back from anything.
Ronald Belisario got the win for his one fine inning of work (looking good finally, Beli!), and Kenley Jansen mystified the batters in the ninth to retire them in order for his tenth save of the season.
To top it all off, the Giants did us a favor and beat the D’bags, so we moved up to 1½ games out of first.