Dodgers 4, Rockies 3

Ramon Martinez came into the day with a .168 average. He might go down as the guy who saved the Dodgers’ season. He came up with a two-run single off Jeremy Affeldt in the bottom of the eighth after Affeldt walked Jeff Kent to load the bases. Saito then struck out three batters in a row in the ninth. Meanwhile, the D-backs lost, so the Dodgers actually gained in the standings for the first time since July 26, when they were in first place and increased their lead from one game to 1 1/2 games by beating these Rockies at Coors. Dodgers improve to 64-60 and move past the Rockies into third place, and they still trail the Pods by 2 1/2 in the wild card, with Philly and Atlanta in between. This ride ain’t over yet, folks. I’ll try to post tomorrow night, but it’ll be late. Don’t get into Philly until 11 something, and I plan to head straight for Jim’s Cheesesteaks on South Street before checking into the hotel.