The Dodgers Dominate in the Astrodome

The Dodgers show why they're running away for the NL West; the third place Astros pose little threat. A combination of overpowering starting pitching and just enough hitting gives LA a real chance to win it all this year. The Dodgers take all four games from Houston. They are now at 54-32 on the season, while the Astros fall to 39-43, dropping under .500 for the first time since early in the season.

The Astros continue to face offensive woes after star Cesar Cedeno goes down for the year, only scoring five runs in the four-game series.

Game 1: LAD 3, HOU 1
W: Rau (8-6)
L: Lemongello (6-9)
S: Forster (12)

Doug Rau again shuts down the Astros offense (an easy feat these days), amid a balanced offensive attack that includes three doubles. Mark Lemongello is a hard-luck loser even though he sports a sparkling 3.20 ERA.

Game 2: LAD 3, HOU 2
W: Hooton (12-1)
L: Bannister (4-5)

The contest may have been tight, but Burt Hooton was entirely in command to move to a gawk-inducing 12-1 this year. Another three doubles by the Dodger Blue provided the difference (the Astros could muster no extra base hits), and Floyd Bannister's five walks led to his early exit.

Game 3: LAD 2, HOU 0
W: Welch (2-0)
L: Dixon (4-4)

21-year-old rookie Bob Welch again makes the league take notice, firing a five-hit shutout. Bill Russell does most of the damage off effective Houston starter Tom Dixon, going two-for-three with an RBI and run scored.

Dodgers rookie Bob Welch wins his first two games easily.

Game 4: LAD 9, HOU 2
W: Sutton (11-5)
L: Richard (6-6)

A marquee pitching matchup between Don Sutton and J.R. Richard turns into an LA rout, with Richard giving up seven Dodger runs in the fourth before leaving, despite striking out seven. Ron Cey has three hits and drives in three, and Sutton strikes out eight in a complete game win for his 11th victory.