The Dodgers' offense was largely in hibernation for most of Thursday night's game. When they did come alive, they got close, but lacked one more big hit. The end result was a loss to the Braves in the opener of the four-game set, 4-3.
It didn't take long for the Braves to start Hiroki Kuroda's struggles, as Martin Prado doubled on the first pitch he saw. After a couple of outs and Prado advancing to third, Troy Glaus continued his hot streak by hitting an RBI single to make it 1-0.
The only person to get anything going in the first four innings for the Dodgers was Andre Ethier. In the first, he hit a ground rule double to left. In the fourth, he singled. Both times Manny Ramirez would strand him, once on a groundout and another on a double play.
The Braves tacked on a couple more in the fourth, beginning was Glaus's towering drive to left. Kuroda just missed a close pitch before that and then grooved one down the middle. Eric Hinske then singled and Yunel Escobar hit a grounder to James Loney. The out was made at first, but then Kuroda somehow couldn't catch the return throw to first for an error.
Sure enough, Kuroda's error would cost him, as Nate McClouth's RBI double put the Braves up 3-0. Kuroda didn't get charged with an earned run on his own error, which is a pretty dumb rule if you think about it.
After Blake DeWitt grounded into a double play to end the fifth, the Braves got another run off Kuroda. Hinske walked and Escobar singled with one down. Kris Medlen (yes, the opposing pitcher) doubled in a run and it was 4-0.
It sure seemed like there was no life in Dodger Stadium, probably because everyone was focused on the NBA Finals anyway. But, at least the Dodgers pumped some energy back into their crowd in the eighth.
Loney, DeWitt, and Jamey Carroll all singled to load the bases with one out. Ronnie Belliard pinch-hit for Justin Miller and scored a run on a single. DeWitt scored as well on Jason Heyward's error to put the score at 4-2.
With runners in scoring position, Rafael Furcal plated Carroll on an RBI groundout. Matt Kemp walked for runners on the corners. Ethier had another chance to make a big impact, but Eric O'Flaherty got him swinging to end the inning.
Old friend Takashi Saito retired Manny and Loney to start the inning, then had to leave with an injury. Billy Wagner was getting a day of rest, but it didn't matter as Jonny Venters struck out Russell Martin for the final out.
Kuroda labored all game long, as he missed with some close pitches, then got badly burned on ones that floated right down Broadway. His final line was six innings for seven hits, four runs (though three earned because of the dumb rule), four walks, and two strikeouts. The walks standout because his control is usually very good. He's in a bit of a rut right now, but I'm sure he'll figure it out soon.
The Braves are as good as any team in baseball right now, so these games won't be easy. But the offense really needs to wake up. They've won two of the last three, but have only scored five runs. That's a dangerous way to live. Manny and Raffy need to pick it up, as they've been ice cold lately. Once they get back on track, everything should be fine.
But let's be honest here, if you're a true L.A. fan, this loss didn't bother you one bit. The Lakers won Game 1 of the Finals, so that's all that matters!
Since the Lakers don't resume until Sunday, it's time to concentrate on the Dodgers again. They've got their ace Clayton Kershaw going tonight. After getting pounded in his first start in May (1 1/3, seven runs), he ended up with four wins and a 2.86 ERA for the month. He'll look to start June off on a better note.
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