Dodgers 15, Phillies 3

In losing two of three at Dodger Stadium last month, the Phillies managed to win the middle game by a score of 15-3. The Dodgers won 15-3 tonight, so does that mean they're destined to lose today's rubber game? We'll see, but one thing that might help them win it is having Kemp and Ethier in the lineup together, something those of you who regularly post comments on this blog have been clamoring for for weeks. It happened tonight, and the two went 6 for 10 with a double, triple, homer, five runs and five RBI. Grady said after the game he'll stick with the plan of rotating Kemp, Ethier and Gonzo into those three spots. In more than a dozen years of covering this game, Gonzo is one of the classiest guys I have ever been around, and he has been a huge positive presence in the Dodgers clubhouse this season. But the time for this transition, in my humble opinion, has come. Ethier-Pierre-Kemp is going to be the Dodgers' OF for years to come, and it's their best OF now. ... Dodgers go to 65-61 for the season. They stay 2 1/2 back in the wild card, because the Pods won. D-backs are up 3-2 in the eighth, so Dodgers probably remain six back in the division. Wild card is too complicated for me to figure out this late at night. Good night, all.