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Batterymates Martin, Penny lead Dodgers past Brewers

May 24, 2007 - 6:22 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- For opponents of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the sight of Russell Martin beating their club has to be getting old.

Martin had three RBI and Brad Penny pitched seven scoreless innings as the Dodgers won the rubber game of the three-game set, 5-1, over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Following singles from Rafael Furcal and Juan Pierre against Milwaukee starter Chris Capuano (5-3) to open the bottom of the first, Jeff Kent was hit by a pitch. Martin, who had a hand in each of the runs scored in Tuesday's 3-2 Dodgers' victory, capitalized on the opportunity with a three-run double to right to stake Los Angeles to an early 3-0 advantage.

"I just try to go up there and do my job," Martin said. "We were in a good spot to put runs on the board early."

Martin increased his gaudy numbers against the lefthander and is 7-for-11 against Capuano with a homer and seven RBI in his two-year major league career.

Luis Gonzalez followed Martin with a run-scoring single to push the lead to 4-0 for the Dodgers, who ran their record to 21-3 in contests in which they score first.

"It was a big run, because we know that those guys have a tough lineup and can score runs in bunches," Gonzalez said.

The four-run margin was more than enough run support for Los Angeles starter Brad Penny (6-1), who dominated the Brewers an outing after giving up a season-high eight runs to the Angels. The righthander, who improved to 3-0 with a 1.43 ERA in six home starts, faced as many five hitters only once in an inning, yielding six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

"I just wanted to come out here and pitch a good game after my last outing," Penny said. "I felt like I threw a good game."

Capuano, who had allowed 10 runs and 14 hits in his last two outings, continued his string of poor starts by surrendering the four first-inning runs and eight hits with four strikeouts in four innings. After starting the season 5-0, the lefthander has dropped three straight contests.

"(I) just didn't have good command of any of my pitches and I have to work on some adjustments," Capuano said.

Bill Hall tallied two hits and a RBI for the Brewers, who remain winless in the nine games in which they have been held under three runs.

Even though all the offense occurred in the first frame, the contest did not lack for fireworks. In the fifth, Martin sent a pitch from reliever Carlos Villanueva, who relieved Capuano, down the left field line for an apparent homer.

"I didn't see if the ball was fair or not, I just saw the umpire rule it a home run," Martin said.

Replays showed the home run ruling from third base umpire Sam Holbrook was incorrect and the call was overturned. The very next pitch, Villanueva sailed a pitch well over the head of Martin, prompting Martin to stare down the pitcher.

"The pitch just got away, nothing was intentional from it," Villanueva said.

Martin took a base on balls on the next pitch and upon reaching first, started having words with first baseman Prince Fielder. Shortly thereafter, Dodgers first base coach Mariano Duncan interjected in the disagreement, prompting both teams to clear the benches.

"I didn't say anything to Fielder, I just heard him start yelling at Mariano (Duncan)," Martin said.

Los Angeles reliever Yhency Brazoban, who underwent Tommy John elbow surgery on his right elbow on April 18, 2006, was recalled from the minors prior to the contest and worked around a walk in the ninth in his return.