Here was the scenario for the Dodgers: They faced their first East coast trip of the season against the reigning World Series champions, the Phillies. It's a rematch of last year's NLCS in which the Phillies pretty much had their way, 4-1. It's also a nice early season test to see how legit the Dodgers really are.
Oh ya, and Manny is suspended.
What might have been a great matchup this early in the season was given an obviously blow from Manny's suspension. But nonetheless, the games must go on. And despite getting a quick 1-0 lead, the Dodgers crumbled in the fourth and eventually lost, 5-2.
Sticking with their lineup of Juan Pierre, Rafael Furcal, and Orlando Hudson at the top, the Dodgers had a good start. Pierre continued his great play by doubling off Chan Ho Park to lead off the game. Raffy lined out to short, but Hudson picked him up with an RBI single.
What started as a good play suddenly turned into a bad one when O-Dog was thrown out trying to get to second. And it was made even worse when Andre Ethier doubled next at-bat. Russell Martin grounded out to end the inning.
Still, the Dodgers found themselves up 2-1 entering the bottom of the fourth. Shane Pricktorino... oops, I mean Victorino (I just don't like him) hit an RBI fielder's choice to tie it at one in the third, but Matt Kemp's two-out single put the Dodgers up 2-1 the following inning.
It was in the fourth when the wheels would fall off the bus for the Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw would allow the first 5 hitters to reach base, highlighted by an RBI single from Jimmy Rollins and a two-run single by Raul Ibanez. In all, it was three runs on three hits, two walks, and two stolen bases for a 4-2 Phillies lead.
That lead would go up to 5-2 in the seventh when Jayson Werth stole home. Yes, I did just type that. In fact, Werth had FOUR STOLEN BASES on the night. That's just pretty sad. Nothing against Werth, who is a player I've admired back from his Dodger days for his hard play, but there's no way he should be running wild like that. Wow.
With Brad Lidge on the mound in the ninth, things would get interesting. Martin struck out to start it, but James Loney singled. Kemp fouled out to right, and it looked like a lost night. Except, Casey Blake singled for two on and pinch-hitting Mark Loretta singled to score Loney and cut it to 5-3.
Pierre had a chance to be a hero with two outs, but it wasn't meant to be, as he flied out to end it.
I'll give the Dodgers credit for fighting until the very end. But they were their own worst enemy tonight, as they put up 11 hits and only got two runs. They left eight on base, including four with two outs in scoring position. Basically, they just couldn't get a big hit when they needed it most.
Kershaw started well but faded in the middle innings. He ended at 5 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 K. Four hits is great, but he can't be walking nearly a batter an inning. To his defense, this was a pretty tough start for a young pitcher, and with some more runs by his offense, he could've been right there for a win. He'll get better.
Randy Wolf has been awesome his last three starts, and he'll look to continue that Wednesday night against Jamie Moyer. Moyer's ERA is 7.26, so I would hope the offense can get some runs against him. It's an ESPN game, so we all can enjoy.
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