Lots of hits and blown opportunities

The good news: the Dodgers had 11 hits.

The bad news: they took 0 walks, stole 0 bases, hit into 2 double plays, and scored 1 run in a loss to the Houston Astros, 4-1.

Roy Oswalt went 6 innings and gave up 6 hits, but also no walks as he completely overpowered the Dodgers with 9 K's. The Dodgers had chances to score, and the perfect example was in the 1st when the bases were loaded with 1 down. They did get a James Loney sac-fly RBI, but that was it. When they weren't striking out, they did get runners on, but as usual, did a big pile of nothing with it.

2 runners on and none out in the 5th. 2 K's and a flyout to end the inning.

2 runners on and 1 down in the 6th. 2 K's to end the inning.

That's really bad, but nothing was quite as bad as the heroic return from the DL by Jason Repko. To say he had about the worst night of his career at the plate would be an understatement. His first 4 times up in the leadoff spot - 4 K's. In fact, he should have been 0-5 with 5 K's if it was not for a questionable balk call on Astros' closer Jose Valverde that took away the final K. Instead, Repko got a 2nd chance and finally put the ball into play, flying out to right. Wow, what a horrendous night.

Eric Stults gave up a bomb to Lance Berkman in the 1st, but was doing fine until running into trouble in the 4th. With the bases loaded, Mark Loretta singled home a run, and then Brad Ausmus singled home 2 more to get a big cushion. Ya, it was only 3 runs, but as I have said a million times in the past, a lead of 1 run or more against the Dodgers is pretty much a sure victory.

I'd now like to take a moment to talk about Mark Sweeney. He sucks. I could pretty much just end it right there, but I recently read a comment that nearly made me fall out of my chair. When asked about his poor performance this year, he had this to say:

"Regardless of what I'm doing, right now, I feel as good (physically) as I have ever felt. I never make excuses, but the situations I have been in haven't been ideal for pinch-hitting and putting your piece into a team, because offensively we have struggled."

Ah... ya, Mark. You've struggled as a pinch-hitter because of the situations you're placed in. Talk about putting a creative spin on things. That stupid ass comment alone should get him released. Oh, and he flew out in his only at-bat last night to lower his AVG to .097. Kinda hard to defend yourself with numbers like that.

All of that garbage aside, Clayton Kershaw will look for his first win since Little League tonight. He'll need to drastically cut his walks down, as a 1.67 WHIP shows that he's still learning how to pitch to Major League hitters.