Dodgers top Brewers on Ethier’s walk-off homer
by The Associated Press on Aug. 18, 2008, under Sports
The Dodgers' Andre Ethier is hoisted into the air after hitting a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday to beat the Brewers 7-5.
LOS ANGELES – The euphoria that filled Milwaukee’s dugout after a game-tying rally in the ninth inning quickly disappeared when Andre Ethier came to bat again.
Ethier hit his second homer of the game and the Los Angeles Dodgers recovered to beat the Brewers 7-5 on Sunday after Ryan Braun capped Milwaukee’s error-aided comeback against Chan Ho Park with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth.
“Me and Matt Kemp were out there looking at each other when they tied it up, saying, ‘What the heck’s going on?’ It’s a big emotional swing, but you’ve got to jump right back on it and stay mentally tough in that situation,” Ethier said.
“We’ve had to come up big in some situations. And when they present themselves, don’t back down. Go up there, tough it out, really grind out that at-bat and make the most of it.”
The Dodgers also got homers from Kemp and Manny Ramirez to move into a first-place tie with Arizona in the NL West.
“We’re certainly in a good place right now, with a lot of confidence,” manager Joe Torre said. “We expect to win when we come out here. I mean, it’s that intensity without being tense, which is where you really want to be.”
Mets 4, Pirates 0: At Pittsburgh, Johan Santana (11-7) pitched a three-hitter for his fifth career shutout and streaking New York got home runs from Brian Schneider and Carlos Beltran.
Cubs 9, Marlins 2: At Miami, two-run doubles by Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez and a three-run double by Reed Johnson sparked an eight-run seventh that rallied Chicago past Florida.
Reds 7, Cardinals 3: At Cincinnati, a revived Edinson Volquez (15-5) pitched seven shutout innings to help Cincinnati win.
Giants 3, Braves 1: At Atlanta, Tim Lincecum (13-3) pitched 7 1/2 innings and closer Brian Wilson got San Francisco out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth.
Rockies 7, Nationals 2: At Washington, Ian Stewart and Seth Smith hit three-run homers, Aaron Cook struggled through five innings for his 15th victory and Colorado beat Washington.
Phillies 2, Padres 1: At San Diego, Cole Hamels pitched eight sharp innings to snap a seven-start winless skid, and Pat Burrell hit a go-ahead homer.
AL: Twins hold off Mariners
MINNEAPOLIS – Joe Nathan left the bases loaded in the final two innings for his 33rd save and the Minnesota Twins held on Sunday for an 11-8 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
White Sox 13, Athletics 1: At Oakland, Calif., Carlos Quentin hit his 34th homer and drove in four runs, Alexei Ramirez added a grand slam and Chicago won a series in Oakland for the first time in eight years.
Blue Jays 15, Red Sox 4: At Boston, Alex Rios had five hits, matching a club record with four doubles, and Toronto chased Boston ace Josh Beckett in the third inning.
Yankees 15, Royals 6: At New York, Jason Giambi hit a grand slam, Alex Rodriguez sent a three-run homer bouncing into Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park and New York battered Brian Bannister and Kansas City to salvage a split of the 10-game season series.
Indians 4, Angels 3: At Cleveland, Jeremy Sowers and two relievers cooled off Los Angeles’ lineup, and Cleveland took two of three from the Angels to hand them a rare series loss.
Orioles 16, Tigers 8: At Detroit, Melvin Mora and Luke Scott hit two home runs apiece, leading Baltimore to a rout of Detroit.
Rays 7, Rangers 4: At Arlington, Texas, B.J. Upton homered and drove in three runs in his return from a benching for not hustling, and Scott Kazmir allowed two runs in six innings.
