Dodgers Sizzle, Then Fizzle
By Steve Henson, Times Staff Writer
Posted: May 3, 2006

PHOENIX — It was time to grab the underachieving Dodgers by the scruff of the neck and give them a good shake.

So Grady Little did the managerial equivalent. He shook up the lineup.

With the first five batters in different spots, the Dodgers responded, hitting three triples in the first two innings and jumping out to a six-run lead after four. But the Arizona Diamondbacks turned the Dodgers upside down, scoring seven runs in the fifth inning against Odalis Perez and winning, 10-8, Tuesday night at Chase Field.

Too many times we're squandering five- or six-run leads," Little said. "It's starting to get old."

Even with a new lineup. Rafael Furcal and Kenny Lofton switched places at the top of the order, Nomar Garciaparra moved from fifth to third and J.D. Drew and Jeff Kent moved down a notch to fourth and fifth.
The five batters teamed for eight hits, six runs and seven runs batted in, including two home runs by Drew, triples by Lofton and Garciaparra and a double by Furcal.

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