Postgame: Dodgers 6, Reds 2

The Dodgers defeated the Reds 6-2 tonight at Dodger Stadium to complete a sweep of the three-game series. For a full recap and boxscore click here.

THE BARE ESSENTIALS:

Manny Ramirez, who didn’t start after getting hit by a pitch on his left hand the night before, was summoned from the bench in a tie game in the sixth inning with the bases loaded, and promptly blasted a grand slam to put the game out of reach. It was career-grand slam No. 21 for Ramirez, which ranks second all-time behind Lou Gehrig’s 23. The pinch-hit homer was the Dodgers’ fourth this season and Ramirez’s first-ever pinch-hit bomb. In 16 games since coming off his 50-game suspension, Ramirez is batting .347 (17-for-49) with four homers and 17 RBI.

Dodger starter Chad Billingsley allowed just two runs over 6.0 innings and Manny Ramirez made him a winner for the first time since June 14. Billingsley becomes the first Dodger to 10 wins and the ninth National Leaguer.

James Loney went 1-for-3 with an RBI-triple and is now hitting .453 (24-for-53) in his career against the Reds.

ETC…ETC:

The Dodgers victory tonight was their 12th consecutive over the Reds at Dodger Stadium, dating back to 2006. The last time Los Angeles had a 12-game home winning streak against any team was 1958-59, when they beat the Pirates in 12 straight. The sweep of the Reds marks the seventh time the Dodgers have broken out the brooms this year.

The Dodgers are a season-high 27 games over .500 for the first time since the final game of 1988, when they finished 94-67 and went on to win the World Series. Their 61-34 record is the club’s best 95-game start since going 63-32 in 1974.

Guillermo Mota fired 2.0 scoreless innings tonight and has now worked 17.0 consecutive shutout frames over his last 14 outings. Mota’s ERA is just 0.29 (1 ER/31.0 IP) since May 22.

ON DECK:

The Dodgers have the day off Thursday and open a three-game series against the Florida Marlins Friday at Dodger Stadium.