Chris Volstad limited the Los Angeles Dodgers to two runs over seven strong innings, leading the Florida Marlins to a 4-2 win, their second straight victory over L.A.. Mike Stanton hit a go-ahead, two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning off Clayton Kershaw, giving the Marlins their first and only lead of the game. Kershaw fell to 2-3 on the season.
The game was tied at 2-2 heading into the sixth inning, and Kershaw had thrown just 65 pitches through his first five frames. But the Marlins rallied for three hits and two walks off Kershaw, and Stanton's base hit gave them the final margin of victory. Leo Nunez pitched a scoreless ninth inning, striking out two, for his seventh save of the season.
The Dodgers were without starting infielders Juan Uribe (left thigh tightness, out of the lineup for the fourth straight game) and Casey Blake (swollen left elbow, missed second straight game), though Uribe did pinch hit in the ninth inning, grounding into a force play. The offense managed seven hits and two runs of Volstad, who had given up 14 runs in his first 15 innings this season.
James Loney had a bounce back game tonight for the Dodgers, going 4-for-4. Loney's average rose (yes, it rose) to .204, the first time Loney has had an average at or above .200 since April 6 in Colorado. Andre Ethier extended his hitting streak to 23 games, a new major league record for April.
For more news and information on the Dodgers, or on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog True Blue LA.