Sep 16, 2007, 14:48 GMT
-The Los Angeles Dodgers will try to keep their playoff hopes alive and complete a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks this afternoon in the finale of a three-game set at Chavez Ravine.
The Dodgers have won four in a row after yesterday's 6-2 victory, and moved to within 3 1/2 games of Arizona in the National League West standings. Los Angeles also remained 1 1/2 games back of the wild card-leading Padres.
Los Angeles can also avenge a three-game sweep by Arizona at home from August 3-5 with a win tonight. The Dodgers last swept a three-game set with the Diamondbacks from July 3-5 of last season in LA.
Luis Gonzalez belted a three-run homer to cap a four-run first inning, while Andre Ethier also homered. Rafael Furcal had a career-high four stolen bases in the victory.
Derek Lowe (12-12) went seven-plus strong innings, allowing one run on four hits with a walk and five strikeouts.
Arizona starter Livan Hernandez (10-10) was tagged for five runs on six hits, while walking three and striking out three. Tony Clark homered for the Diamondbacks, who have lost two in a row and three of four. They now lead second-place San Diego by just two games in the division.
Edgar Gonzalez will start for Arizona coming off a no-decision in his last start on Tuesday. He faced the Giants on that day and allowed just one run on three hits over six innings, lowering his earned run average to 4.76 to go along with a 7-2 record through 29 games (nine starts).
The right-hander is 0-3 in five games (four starts) lifetime against the Dodgers with an eye-popping 10.18 ERA.
Esteban Loaiza will make his third start for the Dodgers since joining the club from Oakland. He is 1-1 with a 4.32 ERA with Los Angeles and is coming off his first setback with the club. That came on Tuesday, as Loaiza allowed six runs on six hits over 3 1/3 innings of work against the Padres. He won his LA debut on September 3 against the Cubs after coming over from Oakland.
The right-hander has never defeated Arizona in his career, going 0-2 with a 5.10 ERA in six games (five starts) against them.
The Dodgers have won nine of their 14 meetings with the Diamondbacks this season, with the clubs splitting eight games in Los Angeles.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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