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Ramirez, first-place Dodgers set for finale with Diamondbacks

Sun 7th, September 2008

(Sports Network) - Manny Ramirez's experience in tight playoff races is sure coming in handy for the Dodgers. Ramirez will try to help extend Los Angeles' new-found lead in the National League West this afternoon in the finale of a three-game set over the now second-place Arizona Diamondbacks at Chavez Ravine.

Ramirez was acquired from Boston prior to the non-waiver trade deadline and has been lights out since heading out west. In 34 games with Los Angeles, the slugger is hitting .403 with 11 homers and 34 RBI.

Ramirez, a big part of the Red Sox-Yankee rivalry in the AL East before getting traded, is hitting .500 (20-for-40) in 11 games versus the Diamondbacks this year with five homers and 12 RBI.

He clubbed a three-run homer and finished with five RBI in Saturday's 7-2 win over Arizona that moved the Dodgers a half game past the Diamondbacks in the standings.

It marks the first time since April 4 that Los Angeles has had sole possession of the NL West's top spot. On the other side, Arizona failed to hold at least a share of the division title for the first time since April 5.

Matt Kemp had two hits and scored a run for the Dodgers, who have won seven in a row overall, which is one shy of their season-high eight-game run set from April 25-May 3. Their recent streak comes on the heels of an eight-game skid.

Justin Upton drove in both runs for Arizona, which has dropped nine of its last 12 games. Brandon Webb lost his third straight start since posting his 19th win of the season.

Arizona was to start Randy Johnson today, but the big lefty is being scratched due to shoulder fatigue. He is expected to make his next start on September 13.

Rookie Max Scherzer will start in his place. Scherzer made waves with his major-league debut on April 29 that saw him strikeout seven batters in 4 1/3 innings to set a club record for a pitcher making his debut.

The 24-year-old righty, though, is 0-2 with a 2.65 earned run average in 12 games (3 starts) overall this season. Scherzer has faced the Dodgers twice in relief, allowing two hits over three shutout innings.

The Dodgers start a rookie of their own in Clayton Kershaw, who halted a two- start skid on Tuesday with a win over the Padres. The lefty allowed three runs on three hits and three walks over seven innings.

Kershaw, 20, is 3-5 with a 4.50 ERA this season and faced the Diamondbacks for the first time in his career on August 1. He got a no-decision despite six shutout innings of four-hit ball.

Today's test will mark the final meeting this year between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. LA has won nine of 17 in the series, taking five of eight at home.

The Dodgers have not swept the Diamondbacks in three games since doing so at home from July 3-5, 2006.