Dodgers scratch Casey Blake with back spasms

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The Dodgers had to scratch their hottest hitter Thursday. Then they replaced him with their second-hottest hitter.

Casey Blake, who has a team-high, nine-game hitting streak going, suffered back spasms during pregame warmups and was a late scratch.

He was replaced at third base by Jamey Carroll.

Carroll was about the only Dodger hitting in Wednesday’s 14-inning, 1-0 victory over the Diamondbacks. Carroll went three for five with a walk. He is six for nine on the home stand.

The utility man played in 25 consecutive games, batting .284 with 14 runs, while Rafael Furcal was on the disabled list.

Blake is hitting .306 (11 for 36) during his hitting streak and has hit .355 (22 for 62) with four home runs in his plast 16 games.

-- Steve Dilbeck