| Joe Gutierrez. 24th April, 2006 - 1:26 am
 Opposing pitcher Russ Ortiz had his sights set on his first win of the season Sunday, but the Dodgers thought otherwise. The 0-3 right-hander was hit hard in the first inning, allowing four runs as the Dodgers won the series by beating Ortiz and the Diamondbacks 6-4.
Dodgers’ pitcher Brett Tomko had control issues in the first inning, with lead-off man Jeff DaVanon doubling to right field. After walking both LF Luis Gonzalez and 1B Conor Jackson to set the bases loaded, 1B Olmedo Saenz attempted to throw out RF Shawn Green at first but committed an error instead. The D-Backs had the early lead of 1-0.
It’s been awhile since we’ve seen a big first inning from the Dodgers, but they were able to get to Ortiz early on doubles by 3B Bill Mueller and Saenz, scoring three runs as well. LF Ricky Ledee hit a blooper into short left field that brought Mueller home for the fourth run of the inning.
Tomko allowed his only run of the game in the second when 2B Orlando Hudson doubled to left, scoring former Detroit Tiger Damian Easley. With a two-run lead, Los Angeles would get another run in the fourth. The slumping Jeff Kent grounded out to score CF Jason Repko to give them a 5-3 lead.
RF J.D. Drew again showed his power stroke in the sixth, as he hit a solo shot to center for his third home run of the year. Heading into the eighth, the Dodgers had a comfortable 6-2 lead, until reliever Danys Baez gave Tomko a scare in the dugout when C Johnny Estrada singled to score 3B Chad Tracy, followed by a long double from pinch hitter Tony Clark. Two runs would score as the four run lead was trimmed to just two.
Baez made up for it in the ninth, closing out the D-Backs and giving the Dodgers their ninth win.
Final Score: Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 4
Coming Up
The Dodgers travel to Houston to battle the Astros. Derek Lowe will start the first of a three game series against lefty Andy Pettitte
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