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Ramirez, Blake helping Dodgers keep pace in playoff race

Aug 12, 2008 - 1:51 PM Philadelphia (64-54) at LA Dodgers (59-59) 10:10 p.m. EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers made a pair of moves before the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31. Those acquisitions have exceeded expectations, but will be needed now more than ever.

Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake try to continue their recent strong play when the Dodgers continue a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

With an offense that ranks in the bottom five in the majors in runs and homers this season, Los Angeles acquired Ramirez and Blake in order to bolster their struggling lineup. The duo has not disappointed and should help the Dodgers keep pace with the first-place Diamondbacks in the National League West after Arizona acquired Adam Dunn, who leads the NL with 32 home runs, from the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.

Ramirez is batting .475 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 10 games since joining the Dodgers from the Boston Red Sox.

"(Ramirez) has done more than we have expected so far," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "Everyone knows what he is capable of and right now he is helping us win games and come up with big hits."

Blake, who owns a .290 batting average with Los Angeles since coming over from the Cleveland Indians, stroked his third home run with the Dodgers on Monday as they escaped with a 8-6 victory during the series opener on Monday.

"We added new guys to the team and it takes a little for us to get comfortable with one another but I can sense we are getting to where we want to be," Blake said.

Ramirez and Blake look to continue their hot hitting against Phillies starter Cole Hamels (9-8, 3.35 ERA), who has gone a career-high six straight starts without a victory.

Rookie Clayton Kershaw (2-3, 3.71) counters for the Dodgers after a trio of stellar outings. Kershaw, 20, has allowed just one run and 11 hits in 19 innings, posting a 2-0 record over his last three starts.