Clayton Kershaw pitched through the first 4 innings by giving up no runs on only 2 hits. At 65 pitches, he had plenty left in the tank to try and lift the Dodgers to avoid a sweep.
And then the rain came, and it turned out to be the worst possible thing to happen.
Not wanting their young gun to rev it up again after a 47 minute delay, Chan Ho Park was given the ball and was unmercifully bombed for 5 runs on 8 hits in 1.1 IP. Marcus Thames and Brandon Inge hit consecutive shots to open the 6th that eventually chased Park. As good as he's been out of the 'pen this year, he was horrible today, which is exactly what the Dodgers could not afford.
The offense was lifeless as usual through 8 innings, but to their credit, they really made a run in the 9th. Blake DeWitt singled to open the inning, and Russell Martin hit one out to go down 5-2. James Loney singled, and the Tigers' closer Todd Jones then came in. Matt Kemp singled to put 2 men on. After an Andre Ethier flyout for 1 down, Jeff Kent pinch-hit and singled home Loney to cut the lead to 2. Delwyn Young then pinch-hit but flied out for 2 down. A wild pitch scored Kemp and put Kent on 2nd, and it was only a 1 run game.
Juan Pierre had a chance to be a hero and tie the game. Do you think he got the job done? Ya... I didn't think so either. A lazy pop out to center ended the game.
It would have been nice to have seen Kershaw get his 1st career win, but the offense and the rain would not cooperate. Simply put, the Dodgers are just plain horrible right now and probably couldn't beat their own minor league teams. If they hit the ball, they can't pitch. If they get strong pitching, they can't hit. Or they can't hit or pitch. Pick your case and that's how it's been going. Joe Torre has got to wonder what in the world he got himself into.
After taking Monday off to travel, the Dodgers will be in Cincinnati Tuesday. Chad Billingsley gets the start in the first game. The Reds pretty much stink too, and were just slapped around by the Red Sox today. It's a battle to see which team sucks worse than the other.
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