Red Sox 4 - 2 Dodgers
Final
  for this game

Ryu aims to keep Dodgers rolling versus BoSox

Aug 24, 2013 - 2:30 PM (Sports Network) - Los Angeles right-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu tries to bounce back from a rare loss on Saturday when the Dodgers continue a three-game series with the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium.

Ryu lost for the first time in 10 starts on Monday in Miami, as the Marlins reached him for three runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings, dropping him to 12-4 on the year to go along with a 2.95 ERA.

The Korean hurler has been magnificent at home, posting a 6-1 mark with a 1.78 ERA in 11 starts at Chavez Ravine.

"Ryu has been, for me, beyond anybody's expectations," pitching coach Rick Honeycutt told the Dodgers' website.

Los Angeles continued its amazing run on Friday, as Hanley Ramirez cracked a two-run homer to back eight flawless innings from Ricky Nolasco in the Dodgers' 2-0 win.

Los Angeles mustered only three hits, with Carl Crawford accounting for two of them, but Nolasco (10-9) held the Sox to just two hits while striking out six. Kenley Jansen finished off the impressive outing, setting the Red Sox down in order in the ninth for his 22nd save.

"I felt good tonight, I had good tempo and good rhythm," said Nolasco. "I tried to stay focused. I just tried to match (Boston starter) John (Lackey) and he made just one mistake. My fastball and slider were good, throwing strikes was the key."

Los Angeles is 46-10 since June 22 and its 10 1/2 game lead in the NL West, is its biggest margin since holding the same lead on Sept. 28, 1977.

John Lackey (8-11) was once again a hard-luck loser, pitching all eight innings for Boston, which with the loss, fell into a tie atop the AL East with the Tampa Bay Rays.

"As right-handers go, that was about as good as we have seen against us," said Boston manager John Farrell. "One starter falls victim to less run support, and John has been that guy."

Getting the call for the Red Sox will be lefty Jon Lester, who is 11-7 with a 4.09 ERA and is coming off one of his better efforts of the season. Lester scattered six hits over 8 1/3 scoreless innings in that one to win for the first time in three starts.

"Jon threw the ball," Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia said. "It was unbelievable. It seems like we were barely on defense."

As good as Ryu has been at home, Lester has been just as good of late on the road, where he has pitched to a 0.94 ERA in his last four starts away from Fenway Park.

The Red Sox swept a three-game series with the Dodgers the last time the two clubs met from June 18-20, 2010.






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