The Dodgers could never find a groove offensively as they fell in the last of a four-game series to the Cubs, 3-1. Despite the loss, the Dodgers took three of four. But, the Rockies beat the Giants again, so the lead in the NL West is 3 and 1/2 games.
Jake Fox had a big day for the Cubs, and it started with a solo home run off of Chad Billingsley in the second to go up 1-0. The Dodgers fought back thanks to a throwing error from Aramis Ramirez to let Matt Kemp reach in the bottom half. Tony Abreu hit an RBI single to center to knot it at one.
That would be it for scoring until the sixth, when the Cubs put the game away for good. It started when Ramirez tripled to lead it off. Kosuke Fukudome then doubled him home to go up 2-1. Fox again drove in a run with an RBI single, and it was 3-1.
Billingsley had been cruising before that, but it all came apart in the sixth. Overall, he pitched six innings for nine hits, three runs, one walk, and five strikeouts. Not his sharpest performance, but not terrible by any means. He just got no offensive support.
The Dodgers had a chance in the eighth, but didn't get much help from the boys in blue. Russell Martin and Abreu walked to start. Mark Loretta then hit a grounder to short that Ryan Theriot flipped to Mike Fontenot, who appeared to come off the bag. It didn't matter, as he was ruled to still be on the bag for the forceout.
Joe Torre wanted some help on that play, but didn't get it. And wouldn't you know, Orlando Hudson promptly grounded into the inning-ending double play. Carlos Marmol mowed through the top of the Dodgers order to get the save.
To take three of four from any team is always a good sign, so the Dodgers can't be too disappointed with this loss. I wouldn't say their offensive problems are really solved, though. They put up seven on Thursday, but combined for only five the next three games.
On Sunday, the top of the order of Rafael Furcal, Andre Ethier, Manny Ramirez, Casey Blake, Matt Kemp, and Martin went 1-for-20. Ouch! It's hard to believe they still had a chance to win even with that.
Up next for the Dodgers is a big series with the Rockies in Coors Field. The last time the Dodgers had a big series in the division was a couple weeks ago against the Giants, and the Dodgers took two of three. Hopefully history repeats itself. Hopefully, too, the offense starts to get more consistency. Coors Field can certainly help.
After taking an off day on Monday, Clayton Kershaw will get the call on Tuesday. He's opposed by Jason Hammel, who is the perfect pitcher to match up with when trying to break out of a slump. Let's hope that actually happens.
No comments:
Post a Comment