NL West Roundup: Dodgers Stay Ridiculously Hot

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies are now 52-64 on the season, only a game in the win column better than the last place San Francisco Giants. They are 13 games out of first place in the NL West, meaning that we reached the point where we should stop counting a long time ago. Here’s what else happened around the division on a light Thursday night in baseball.

Dodgers 5, Cardinals 1

If you ever doubted the staying power of the Los Angeles Dodgers, they sure made a big statement this week when they took three out of four games in St. Louis against the Cardinals. The only game they lost was started by Clayton Kershaw. It has to be a wonder for the former Cy Young winner. It used to be that the Dodgers had to win on days he started because the rotation was thin. That is no longer the case.

A.J. Ellis cracked a three run home run in this one, and Hyun-Jin Ryu continued to pitch like one of the best pitchers whom nobody talks about (7 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 7 K’s).

Kyle Terada – USA Today Sports

Giants 4, Brewers 1

Tim Lincecum, the subject of trade rumors not long ago, was stellar in this one. He went eight innings, allowed only one walk and one hit, and struck out eight. It’s against a depleted Brewers team, sure, but if Lincecum keeps showing these flashes of greatness he will remain an intriguing player. Other teams will be intrigued about getting him, and the Giants will have to decide what to do with him.

Marco Scutaro had three hits (OF COURSE HE DID HE’S BATTING .306 WHY WOULDN’T HE?) and Brandon Belt bashed a three-run home run in the first inning of this one.

Friday’s probables

Pirates at Rockies – Francisco Liriano vs. Jorge De La Rosa

Padres at Reds – Andrew Cashner vs. Bronson Arroyo

Rays at Dodgers – David Price vs. Chris Capuano

Orioles at Giants – Chris Tillman vs. Ryan Vogelsong

The standings

Dodgers – 64-50

Diamondbacks – 58-53 (5.5 GB)

Padres – 52-62 (12 GB)

Rockies – 52-64 (13 GB)

Giants – 51-63 (13 GB)