Bronson Arroyo pitched seven innings of one-run ball, but it was his three-run homer that was difference as the Reds beat the Dodgers, 7-1. The Dodgers still took two of three from this series before moving on to Boston.
With a very early start time of 12:35 ET (so 9:35 PT for the L.A. boys), Manny Ramirez and Russell Martin were given the day off. Unfortunately, Rafael Furcal was placed on the bereavement list because of a family matter. Chin-lung Hu has been recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Blake DeWitt hit leadoff and singled to start the game. Matt Kemp then drew a walk, and it looked like the Dodgers were going to roll again. Andre Ethier hit a big home run last night, but grounded into a double play in this spot. A groundout by James Loney followed, and it was a sign of things to come.
The Dodgers did lead this game in the second. Two out walks to A.J. Ellis and Jamey Carroll sent John Ely to the plate. Ely responded with an RBI single, the first of his career. Speaking of "a sign of things to come," the opposing pitcher would also strut his stuff at the plate.
That would be Arroyo, who didn't disappoint when given the chance to drive in runs. Jay Bruce and Chris Miller were on base with two outs, when Arroyo hit a three-run shot to make it 3-1.
Once that happened, the Dodgers never recovered. After Brendan Phillips walked to start the third, Jay Bruce's two-run homer made it 5-1.
Two innings later, Phillips got in on the fun with a solo shot to push their lead to 6-1. Once Scott Rolen walked and Jonny Gomes singled, Justin Miller replaced Ely. An RBI single by Bruce was the game's last run.
It's not like Arroyo dominated the Dodgers, because they still got seven hits and seven walks. But, there was absolutely no clutch hitting after Ely's single. 10 men were left on base, and Garret Anderson, Kemp, and Ethier all grounded into double plays. It was pretty ugly.
Ely is now showing his youth and inexperience, as he's been hit around the last three starts. At one point, he had gone seven starts without giving up a longball. Well, that's been thrown out the window, as he now has surrendered six in his last three.
So, he's facing some reality right now. I don't think he's this bad, but he wasn't as good as he was showing before. Maybe someday he will be, but certainly not yet. He just needs to find that confidence that had him at a 2.54 ERA after his seventh start (it's 4.15 now). Keeping the ball in the park would be a nice start.
Next up for the Dodgers is the first of two huge weekends. It's the return of Manny Ramirez to Fenway Park. Joe Torre will most likely have him at DH, where he should be anyway. Still, what a fun scene that will be when Manny takes the plate for the first time. I can't wait.
Carlos Monasterios suffered his first subpar start last time, but with Chad Billingsley hitting the DL a couple days ago, he'll get another start. It should be an electric atmosphere, so he'll have to find a way to settle himself down and just worry about the batters. Don't be surprised to see Jeff Weaver get in Friday as well.
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