=== Los Angeles Dodgers Team Report - July 19 === (My Sportsbook) - The red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers try to push their winning streak to a season-high seven games this evening when they open a two-game set with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. On Sunday, Cesar Izturis posted a career-high four RBI with a three-run homer and a triple, as Los Angeles rolled over Arizona, 10-3, to complete a four- game sweep at Bank One Ballpark. Adrian Beltre added a homer and knocked in two runs for the Dodgers, who improved to 13-2 in July. They lead San Francisco by 2 1/2 games for first place in the NL West. Jose Lima (9-3) tossed eight strong innings to win his third consecutive start, giving up three runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Getting the call this evening for the Dodgers will be lefthander Wilson Alvarez, who is 4-3 on the year with a 3.51 earned run average. Alvarez earned a win on Thursday with a perfect inning of relief and has not started since July 10 against the Astros. In that contest, the 34-year-old Venezuelan hurler allowed a run on three hits in six innings of a 3-1 victory. Alvarez has faced the Astros four times in his career and is 2-0 against them with a 2.82 ERA. The Dodgers, who are 23-21 away from home this season, have taken four of five matchups with the Astros this season. |
