Ethier’s 2-run homer gives Dodgers win over Brewers

Andre Ethier, one of many young and talented Dodgers hitters, got his second game winning hit in six days, a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning off Brewers reliever Carlos Villanueva for a wild 7-5 victory.  Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun was just that in his return from injury and to his hometown, completing a four run ninth inning rally with a two-run, two-out, two strike, home run, tying the game at five. Though it seemed shocking for the Dodgers, the Brewers momentum gained was short lived.

Matt Kemp, who led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run, started the last of the ninth with a hit, a ringing single up the middle. The Fox announcers had doubts that Ethier could end the game, focusing instead on Manny Ramirez, who was two batters away. Ethier proved them wrong. He hit a good tailing curveball from Villanueva, clearing the wall in spite of a valiant effort by right fielder Corey Hart, for his second home run of the contest. With the loss by the Diamondbacks, this win for the Dodgers ties them for the division lead, and gives L.A. their 7th win in 10 games.

Ethier has been hero now twice this week for the Dodgers, but the real reason for their success this month is the play of new arrival Manny Ramirez. His reputation has diminished around the league with the way he treated the Boston Red Sox prior to his departure, but his hitting has only heated up. He has done nothing but crush the ball with his new team, batting at a .424 clip with 5 homers and 18 rbi’s in just 15 games. He has 10 walks with the club, allowing him to improve his productivity by getting on base over 50% of the time. His performance and hustle with the Dodgers has garnered frustration from Red Sox fans, and rightfully so. He gave up on Boston, and seemed content doing so. He got his wish, no matter how long it took, and is flourished with a contending team in the National League.

In spite of the good performance by starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (6 IP, 8 hits, ER, 6 strikeouts), the Dodgers, as a staff, don’t have enough consistency to chase a world title. They haven’t gotten enough out of capable pitchers such as Brad Penny, who has battle injuries all season, contributing just a 6-9 record with a huge 6.05 ERA. Chad Billingsley has been the staff ace, boasting 12 wins and a 3.18 ERA. He is the only starter in double figures in wins, and the only sure thing on their staff. If they somehow do get enough pitching down the stretch, and their offense continues to hit, the Dodgers could not only keep up with Arizona, but make a deep run in the playoffs.

Phelps breaks Spitz record with help from teammates

Michael Phelps was masterful once again, collecting his 8th gold medal of these Games, and 14th overall

Michael Phelps performance in the 2008 Beijing Olympics was remarkable, finishing by winning his eighth gold medal of these Games. Swimming the third leg in the 4 by 100 Medley Relay, Phelps was his usual dominant self, as he swam his 100 M in 51.68 seconds, propelling Team USA to a world record time of 3:29.34. Although he was breathtaking in winning his record 8 gold medals, he needed a lot of help to accomplish the feat. Jason Lezak, who came from behind earlier in the Olympics giving Phelps his second gold, swam his team to victory, leaving his opponents in the dust on the final leg. Aaron Piersol, and Brenden Hansen were brilliant as well, giving Phelps the glory that he deserved.

Phelps had some close calls along the way, including his intense .01 second win in the 100 M Butterfly, but even so, he did what no other Olympian has done. He, rightfully so, is the best Olympic athlete ever, not only because of his records, but the way he goes about obtaining his goals. He does his job with ease, and with exception to his race against Milorad Cavic, blows away his competitors like no one else before him. He’s very similar to other dominant athletes in other sports, like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, in that he takes the pressure to be the best as a positive, and lives upon it. He doesn’t get flustered, just goes about his business in becoming the most decorated, and most dominant Olympic athlete in history.