Grand Return: Manny-Slam Gives Dodgers Sweep

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 6-2, sweeping the Reds three games to none. The game was tied in the sixth inning before the Dodgers loaded the bases, when Manny Ramirez came in to pinch-hit. He sent the first pitch he saw into the left-field stands, putting LA up by four with a grand-slam homer. Chad Billingsley struck out seven in six innings while giving up only two runs to earn his 10th victory of the season. Andre Ethier had a solo-home run, and James Loney scored and drove in a run. Matt Kemp and Russell Martin both had a run scored. Joey Votto had three hits for the Reds, including a double, and drove in a run.

Several factors made Manny's pinch-hit slam exciting and incredible. Ramirez was out of the lineup after being hit on the hand by a pitch in Tuesday's game. He previously was 3-for-27 in pinch-hit appearances. It was "Manny Ramirez Bobblehead Night", and the ball landed in the section now titled "Mannywood". Manny is the active-leader in grand slams with 21, and is second all time.

Dodgers Hammer Reds to Take Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 12-3, becoming the first team in baseball to reach 60 wins. The Dodgers scored at least two runs in four of the first five innings, and Randy Wolf held the Reds to just two runs for his fifth win of the season. Manny Ramirez tripled and drove in two runs before leaving the game after being hit on the hands by a pitch. Matt Kemp and Rafael Furcal both homered, and James Loney scored three runs and knocked in two runs. Wolf had a double, RBI and run scored, and Furcal finished with four runs-batted-in and two runs scored. Cincinnati collected only five hits; Joey Votto homered and Jonny Gomes drove in a run.

Manny left the game after being struck on the left hand by a pitch. He immediately underwent an x-ray, which came up negative. Manny will be day-to-day.

Orlando Hudson returned to the lineup after sitting out just one game. Hudson injured his left wrist after running into an Astros pitcher on Sunday. That same wrist underwent surgery last year, and as a result Hudson cannot bend it backwards.

Dodgers Make Most of Schmidt's Return

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-5 in what was Jason Schmidt's first start with the Dodgers since 2007. Schmidt gave up three runs in the first inning, but that was all as he cruised through the next four to earn only his second win with LA. The Dodgers helped his cause by scoring four runs in the bottom of the first, and never trailed after that. Jonathan Broxton collected his 23rd save of the season. Russell Martin had three hits and scored twice, and Andre Ethier doubled, homered, scored two runs and drove in two runs. Manny Ramirez had a home run, and Casey Blake had a double and two RBI's. Brandon Phillips had three hits for the Reds, as well as a run-batted-in and a run scored.

In order to make room for Schmidt on the 25-man roster, Scott Elbert was optioned to Triple-A. Eric Milton was transfered from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.