POSTGAME: DODGERS 1, ROCKIES 0

The Dodgers defeated the Rockies 1-0 today at Dodger Stadium. For a full recap and boxscore click here

THE BARE ESSENTIALS

Rafael Furcal lined a single to right field to drive in pinch-runner Russell Martin from second base for the winning run in the bottom of the eighth. The inning was text book late inning execution as Brad Ausmus singled, Juan Castro bunted him over, then Furcal singled in the winning run.

Clayton Kershaw allowed just one hit over 5.0 scoreless innings before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the fifth. Kershaw has given up just two runs over his last 23.2 IP (four starts), for a 0.76 ERA over that time. Kershaw has lowered his ERA from a season-high 5.46 on May 1 to 3.49.

Ausmus went 2 for 3, including the single that led to the Dodgers’ winning rally in the eighth inning. Ausmus is now hitting .292 (14-for-48) in his 13 starts.

Jonathan Broxton fired a perfect ninth inning and struck out two Rockies. Broxton now has 19 saves in 21 opportunities and leads all Major League relievers with 62 strikeouts.

Ronald Belisario worked 2.0 scoreless innings in relief of Kershaw and has now posted 13.2 consecutive scoreless innings over his last 12 games. Beginning May 12, Belisario has a 0.95 ERA (3 ER/28.1 IP) in his last 25 appearances. The right-hander leads the Dodgers with 41 appearances.

ETC…ETC

The Dodgers are now 17-8 in one-run games, which is the most wins and the best winning percentage in the Major Leagues in one-run contests. At Dodger Stadium, they are 14-2 in one-run contests.

The Dodgers played their final game of the first half at home and became the first team in Major League Baseball to win 50 games, which includes a big-league best 28-13 home record. The club is on pace to win more than 100 games for the first time since winning 102 in 1974.

Now for the bad news. Since scoring eight runs on Friday night, Los Angeles has plated just eight runs and collected just 27 hits over their last five games, averages of 1.6 runs and 5.4 hits.

GAME BALL GOES TO

Rafael Furcal

ON DECK

The Dodgers welcome back Manny Ramirez in San Diego Friday after he completed a 50-game suspension. RHP Hiroki Kuroda (2-4, 3.77) takes the mound against RHP Chad Gaudin (4-6, 4.97) to begin the three-game series.

Wow, Manny can’t get back soon enough, as the Dodgers’ bats have suddenly fallen silent. Furcal’s game-winning RBI snapped a 17-inning scoreless streak, and going back to Monday the Dodgers had scored just one run over their previous 24 innings. The good news is, thanks to the pitching, defense, and late-game execution they won two of the three games against the Rockies. Nevertheless, Manny’s bat will be a welcome sight come Friday, and for the rest of the season.