Jesus, swept. Reds win, 7-2.

Your portrait of yours truly was really keen.  I hung it on me wall!  To answer your other questions, we do have hamburgers and fries in England, but we call French fries 'chips.'

P.S. Please forgive the lateness of my reply.

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Scott Rolen.  Jelly Mort Rolen had three hits, including two doubles.  He also scored two runs and drove in three.  We'd been noting that Rolen was squaring up the ball well in his recent plate appearances, and this was the game where he put it all together and the well-driven balls started falling for hits.  Honorable mentions go to Fred Lewis (two doubles, a walk, two RBI) and Ryan Hanigan (two hits, a walk, two RBI).

Key Plays

• Travis Wood had a rough first inning.  In other news, Tony La Russa yelled at his wife because his breakfast wasn't prepared professionally enough.  These things happen all the time.  Edgar Renteria, fresh off of getting caught stealing in the top of the first, made an error on Dee Gordon's grounder, letting the young speedster reach first.  Gordon is still a bit impetuous, and Wood caught him leaning towards second.  Good thing too, because one out later, Andre Ethier doubled.  It would have easily driven in a run.  Instead, Travis Wood took it upon himself to get that run in.  He intentionally walked Matt Kemp, then walked Juan Uribe and Marcus Thames, forcing in Ethier.  Dodgers lead, 1-0.
• Thankfully, the Reds offense was up to the task against Chad Billingsley (another Jane Austen character!).  Brandon Phillips singled in the second, and Scott Rolen doubled to drive him in.  One out later, Fred Lewis doubled too, and Rolen scored to give the Reds the lead.  Reds lead, 2-1.
• Edgar Renteria sought amends and led off the third with a single.  Joey Votto followed with another single, and Brandon Phillips's fly ball sent Renteria to third.  Scott Rolen singled, driving in Renteria, and Jonny Gomes singled to load the bases with one out.  Billingsley, who must have been cheating off of Travis Wood's game notes, walked Fred Lewis to force in Votto.  Ryan Hanigan singled.  Rolen and Gomes scored, and the game was well in hand.  Reds lead, 6-1.
• In the fourth inning, Billingsley walked Joey Votto, and Rolen hit a two out double to drive him in, his third at-bat with an RBI.  Reds lead, 7-1.
• Wood pitched very well his remaining five innings, allowing no more scoring.  Jose Arredondo relieved him in the seventh and gave up a leadoff single to Jamey Carroll.  Andre Ethier popped out, but Matt Kemp doubled to put runners on second and third.  Juan Uribe grounded out, Carroll scored, and that was it for the Dodgers.  Reds win, 7-2.

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

• The Reds swept a series at Dodger Stadium for the first time since May 14-16, 2004.  The last time the Dodgers were swept at home by anyone was almost exactly a year ago, against the Angels.
• It was Dusty Bakers 62nd birthday.  It was only the fifth time a team he's managed has given him a win on his birthday.
• Jonny Gomes had two diving catches, and one sliding catch.
• Prior to the seven runs he gave up today, Chad Billingsley had only allowed 8 runs at home all season.
• Rolen had four doubles in the series and only needs five more to get to 500 in his career.
• The 5-2 road trip out west was an impressive result, especially considering that the Reds had been 22-41 on the West Coast over the last six seasons before this trip.  It's also the first time in a month the Reds have won three games in a row, the last time being a five game winning streak from May 13-17.