What's worse than watching the Dodgers on TV?
Watching them live. At least on TV you can turn the channel.
Despite scoring a run before Johan Santana recorded an out, the Dodgers looked lost yet again as they were defeated by the New York Mets, 6-1. The Dodgers dropped this 4-game series 3-1 and finished their Chicago/New York road trip at 1-6.
The 1st inning looked promising enough when Juan Pierre lead off and hit a double off of David Wright's glove and into left. Matt Kemp then lined a single to center, and just like that, the Dodgers had themselves a lead against a true ace. How did Kemp celebrate this great achievement? By getting picked off of 1st base, of course!
It didn't help that both Jeff Kent and James Loney struck out. Kemp has loads of talent, but he has got to be the dumbest base runner on Earth. It's scary just how bad he is. He should have been gunned out at 2nd during Saturday's game, but Jose Reyes misplayed a hop. Kemp was 3-4, but getting picked off was definitely the turning point of the game in my mind.
Hiroki Kuroda will have better days, but last night he was miserable. Reyes, who got a hit in each game, singled and stole 2nd. David Wright, who had 7 hits, 5 runs, and 6 RBI, singled him home to quickly tie the score. After retiring the order in the 2nd, Reyes struck once again in the 3rd, doubling with 1 out. Wright hit another RBI-single for a 2-1 lead.
Needing to make big pitches to keep the game close, Kuroda struggled mightily. Carlos Beltran hit a no-doubter to right to get the score 4-1 Mets. Trust me, that ball was absolutely creamed. Ryan Church marked his comeback night with a 2-run shot to right as well, and I knew the game was long over. I was right.
I remember saying for a little while at the start of the game that the Dodgers had a good approach to Santana. Through the first 3 innings, they had 3 hits and 2 walks, which isn't bad against someone like him. But, only 1 run was pushed across thanks to more untimely hitting. It's the same old story for the Dodgers - look competitive early, then crumple late. From what I recall, Santana was around 50 pitches through 3, which would mean he might not last out of the 6th. But the second the Mets went ahead, it was cruise control for him.
I'll look for the silver lining, and Hong-Chih Kuo qualifies. He pitched 4.1 innings in relief, giving up no runs on 3 hits and 2 K's. He's been awesome this year. Cory Wade K'd 2 in a scoreless 8th, but the game had long since been settled.
The biggest difference between these 2 teams is that when each team gets runners on, the Mets believe they can drive home runs, while the Dodgers do not. 5 of the Mets runs were with 2 outs. A perfect example was in the 8th when Pierre walked and Kemp singled with 2 down, chasing Santana. After Jeff Kent was hit by a Joe Smith pitch to load the bases, Scott Schoeneweis was brought in to face James Loney. It was a great time to show the world that the Dodgers can be a capable offensive team, by battling back late from a big deficit.
But, Loney grounded out to short on a 3-1 pitch, adding to the humiliation. The Dodgers simply are incapable of getting a big, power hit when they most need it. That's just the sad truth.
This upcoming series is a big one against the Colorado Rockies. As much as I think the Dodgers are struggling, the Rockies are STRUG - GUL - LING. They are a pathetic 20-37, thanks to some horrendous pitching and injuries on offense (Troy Tulowitzki and Matt Holliday). It's amazing how much they have tanked. Derek Lowe gets the start, and he's coming off 2 strong ones. He didn't get wins in either one, but that's the Dodgers for ya. They need to take at least 2 in this 3-game series since the Cubs come into town next for 4.
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