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Kent, Pierre help Dodgers top Diamondbacks

Apr 18, 2007 - 6:59 AM PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Jeff Kent got the job started and Juan Pierre finished it off.

Kent had three hits and Pierre drove in the go-ahead run as the Los Angeles Dodgers posted a 6-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks to complete a two-game series sweep.

The game was tied at 4-4 in the seventh, when Wilson Valdez was hit by a pitch by Arizona reliever Tony Pena (0-1), stole second and advanced to third on Rafael Furcal's groundout.

Known for his blazing speed, Pierre delivered an RBI triple to right-center field off Pena and scored on Alberto Callaspo's throwing error.

"It was big to get a big hit with a man in scoring position, not doing that here lately, but just relaxed and to drive the ball in the gaps felt really good," Pierre said.

"(Pierre) is a weapon because he is a run-scorer," Dodgers manager Grady Little said. "He does what it takes to score runs, but now he's got that bat going a little bit. He'll be on base a little bit more, and he's going to give a lot more aggravation for a lot of opposition."

Chad Billingsley (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings for the win, Jonathan Broxton did not allow a run in the eight and closer Takashi Saito shut the door in the ninth for his sixth save for the Dodgers.

"Our pitchers have been doing an excellent job of keeping us in the game," Pierre said. "And fortunately we got some big hits at the end."

Kent's RBI double in the first off Diamondbacks rookie Micah Owings opened the scoring. The former National League MVP also collected hits in the fourth and seventh frames.

Nomar Garciaparra had an RBI double and Russell Martin also plated a runner for Los Angeles, which has won 10 of its last 12 games.

Los Angeles starter Brett Tomko allowed four runs and eight hits through five frames in remaining winless in two starts.

Owings gave up three runs and four hits in four innings. In the fourth inning, the 24-year-old recorded his first career hit, an RBI single, before pulling up lame on Callaspo's single.

"It's hard to even think about that right now after we lost; I can't stand losing," Owings said. "Not really thinking too much about the leg."

Arizona finished 4-4 in its eight-game homestand.