Yesterday I talked about how Clayton Kershaw had started to turn a corner with four good starts in a row. The problem was that he was still walking three-four guys a game, and he really needed to address that.
Well, he didn't address it. He got worse.
Kershaw looked like he had no clue where the plate was, as he lasted only 2 and 2/3 innings, giving up five hits, walking four, and allowing three runs. The early hole was enough to easily put the Dodgers away, 3-1. The loss ended their nine-game homestand at 5-4.
Much like the night before, the top of the Padres order did some damage, as they did to Chad Billingsley as well. Tony Gwynn and David Eckstein singled, followed by a walk to the dangerous Adrian Gonzalez. Kevin Kouzmanoff hit an infield single to make it 1-0.
Still with the bases loaded and none down, Kershaw was actually able to only give up one more run on a fielder's choice. As bad as the game started, only being down by two wasn't that bad.
The Dodgers immediately battled back, as Juan Pierre singled and stole second. Orlando Hudson's grounder got him over. Andre Ethier has been swinging a red-hot bat lately, and he came through again with an RBI single to make it 2-1.
That's the end of the Dodgers' offensive highlights, as after Rafael Furcal's single to start the second, Kevin Correia retired the next 15 men in order. He finished the night with six innings, four hits, one run, no walks, and four strikeouts. Those are some impressive numbers.
About the only other threat the Dodgers had was when Casey Blake doubled to lead off the seventh. Russell Martin walked to put a couple of men on. But, Raffy struck out, followed by a strike-'em-out-throw-'em-out double play from Matt Kemp and Blake.
The silver lining to this game was that if the Dodgers did get that big hit, the bullpen would've given them a win. Jeff Weaver, Cory Wade, Ronald Belisario, and Ramon Troncoso combined for 6 and 1/3 innings, no runs, one hit, one walk, and five strikeouts. They did their part, but the bats just couldn't pick them up.
As I've said in the past about Kershaw, he's still only 21, so starts like this are going to happen. There will be nights when he's fantastic and strike out everyone and their mother, and then there's nights when his stuff is crazy. We all just have to be patient with him.
After and off day Thursday, the Dodgers travel to Texas for Interleague Play against the Rangers. Hiroki Kuroda gets the ball on Friday night.
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