Dodgers trade for Thome, Garland

In separate deals consummated just minutes before the 9 p.m. PST deadline for postseason eligibility, the Dodgers have dealt for designated hitter Jim Thome and righthander Jon Garland.

Thome is hitting .249/.372/.493 this season for the White Sox for an OPS of .864, more than 100 points better than Dodger first baseman James Loney’s .738. Thome, 39, has 564 career home runs, but hasn’t played first base since 2007. He’ll likely be relegated to pinch-hitting duties with a start here and there. Chicago will get a player to be named later.

Garland, 29, has a 4.29 ERA in 167.2 innings this season for the Diamondbacks. He has made at least 32 starts in each of the last seven seasons. The Dodgers reportedly gave up minor leaguer Justin Fuller to Arizona. Fuller was hitting .254 in his age-26 season with Inland Empire.

Postgame: Dodgers 3, Reds 2 (12 innings)

The Dodgers beat the Reds 3-2 today in 12 innings. For a full recap and boxscore, click here.

THE BARE ESSENTIALS:

Clayton Kershaw was at his best, striking out 11 in seven innings while allowing only two runs. His only real blemish was a second-inning two-run homer by Darnell McDonald — James’ cousin.

Until the 12th, the Dodgers’ only runs came in the fifth inning, when Matt Kemp hit a solo homer and Clayton Kershaw drove a ball up the middle that found a hole and brought in Casey Blake.

Then, with the bases loaded in the 12th, Kemp hit a deep fly ball to center that looked like a possible grand slam. Cincinnati center fielder Drew Stubbs caught it on the warning track, but Manny Ramirez came in to score on the sacrifice fly.

ETC…ETC:

The Reds’ Bronson Arroyo was also effective. Arroyo scattered six hits over 7 1/3 innings, maneuvering his way through the Dodger lineup by changing speeds frequently. He struck out only three.

The Dodgers had 11 hits as a team, but not one player had more than one. Rafael Furcal was the only starter held hitless.

The Dodger bullpen continued to shine, as George Sherrill, Ramon Troncoso, Hong-Chih Kuo, James McDonald, and Jonathan Broxton pitched five scoreless innings.

ON DECK:

The Dodgers host Arizona tomorrow night, sending Randy Wolf (9-6, 3.25) against Doug Davis (7-11, 3.75).

Dodgers trade for Ronnie Belliard

The Dodgers have acquired infielder Ronnie Belliard from the Nationals in exchange for minor leaguer Luis Garcia and a player to be named later.
Belliard, 34, has hit .346/.406/.600 in August while platooning at second base for the Nats.
Garcia, 22, has posted a 2.92 ERA in 34 relief appearances this season for the Class-A Great Lakes Loons.