Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) – Wes Helms drove in a pair of runs and Nate Robertson worked his way through six frames, as Florida jumped out early and held on to down the Los Angeles Dodgers, 6-5, in the first of three games at Chavez Ravine.
Robertson (6-6) gave up four runs — three earned — on seven hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Dan Uggla finished 3-for-3 with one run scored, and six different Marlins scored in their second straight victory.
“It was a good win. I work quick and I had good defense behind me. I used everything because those guys can hit. When you win it is a good night,” said Robertson.
John Ely (4-6) took the loss, giving up six runs — five earned — on nine hits with three strikeouts and one walk over just 2 2/3 frames. The Dodgers’ brief two-game winning streak came to an end.
“John didn’t locate his curveball. It was only going about 55 feet. He wasn’t able to attack the strike zone,” Dodgers manager Joe Torre said of Ely’s night.
The Marlins put a two-spot on the scoreboard in the top of the first as Chris Coghlan singled, went to third on Gaby Sanchez’s single and scored on Hanley Ramirez’s sacrifice fly. A wild pitch moved Sanchez to third after Dan Uggla’s single, and Sanchez eventually scored on Cody Ross’ groundout.
The visitors added another run in the second with some small ball and aid of the Dodgers’ defense. Mike Stanton doubled to left, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored when Russell Martin’s pickoff attempt sailed away.
Martin made up for the miscue in the home second when he drove in Casey Blake, who had doubled, with a base hit up the middle.
Florida stayed on the offensive with a three-spot in the third. Three straight singles from Ramirez, Uggla and Ross loaded the bases with nobody out, and Helms drove home two of the runners with a single into center. Ross scored later in the frame when Robertson singled.
Trailing 6-1, the Dodgers cut into the deficit over their next two at-bats. Ronnie Belliard raced home in the third when Ronny Paulino’s throw to nab Matt Kemp on a stolen base attempt at second sailed wide.
Furcal clubbed a two-run home run to left in the fourth for a 6-4 contest.
The Dodgers make it a one-run game in the eighth frame as Ethier walked, moved to second on Blake’s slow grounder and scored when Loney poked a double the opposite way tight to the left-field line.
Leo Nunez set down the Dodgers in order, throwing just 12 pitches in the ninth, to pick up his 18th save.
The Dodgers have just a 4-10 mark versus the National League East…Ely has lost five of his last six decisions…Furcal has scored run in 11 straight games — equaling the longest streak for the Dodgers since Shawn Green in September 2002.