Dodgers Pull Off Last Second Heroics

Sports Betting News - August 7th, 2009 - Written by Ryan Smith

The Dodgers improved on the best record in all of major league baseball last night, with a three run walk-off home run by right fielder Andre Ethier. With the Atlanta Braves leading the baseball game 4-2 in the bottom of the 9th, Ethier came to the plate with two men on base. Then smack, it all happened so quick, as Ethier hit a line drive home run off Braves Closer Rafael Soriano to win the game.

The walk-off hit was Andre Ethier's 5th walk off this year, ranking him as the number one player in walk-off hits this season. The come-from-behind victory was 29th for the best team in baseball, and the 11th walk-off hit for the team this season. The Dodgers now post a record of 67-42 on the year, and return as the best team in baseball. The three run home run gave Ethier 23 on the year, and he is now just 5 RBI's behind his career best with 72 total RBI's on the season. Andre Ethier is one of many players that comprise the future of the young Dodgers franchise.

The Dodgers team has found trouble producing wins as of late, and a loss last night would have been 8 losses in the last 12 games. Walk-off home runs have a way of making teams play better, usually adding a sense of personality and charisma to the club house. ESPN reports Dodger Manager Joe Torre had this to say about the Ethier walk-off home run, "This kid hasn't really played a lot of major league baseball, and to just have that kind of calm in those situations is pretty special. Soriano fell behind him 2-0, and he knows that Manny [Ramirez] is behind Ethier. So it's that old rock and a hard place, and he has to throw a strike."

Derrick Lowe the former Dodgers pitcher, who is now playing with the Braves, started the game last night against his old team. Derrick Lowe left in the middle of the 6th inning with a 3-2 lead, but the Braves bull pen could not manage to hold the victory for Lowe. The Dodgers and the Braves continue the three game series tonight. Dodgers young ace Chad Billingsley, will take the mound Friday night against the Atlanta Braves young ace Jair Jurrjens, in what should be another pitchers duel. Bodog and DSI two of the most credited online sportsbooks have already released game lines on this Friday night match up, the Dodgers are a -135 favorite to win, and the Braves are a +115 underdog. The Dodgers are still sailing smooth adding another win to the record, and are now 6.5 games above the San Francisco Giants in the NL West. The Braves can't afford to loose another game, They are 7.5 games behind the Phillies in the NL East, and 5.5 games behind the Giants in the wild card race.

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