The Dodgers chipped away, but were ultimately unable to make up for a big early deficit as they lost to the Marlins, 6-5. With the Padres idle and therefore not winning for a change, the Dodgers are now four games back in the NL West.
John Ely was coming off of two great starts against the Angels and Giants, and looked to be back on track from earlier this season. Lo and behold, he wouldn't even make it out of the third inning. He finished with 2 1/3 innings pitched for nine hits, six runs (five earned), one walk, and three strikeouts. Only one of the hits was for extra bases, but all the others were sprayed all over the place.
Chris Coghlan started the game with a single. Gabby Sanchez did the same, and just like that there were runners on the corners with no outs. A sac-fly RBI by Hanley Ramirez made it 1-0. An infield single by Dan Uggla came next, and already it was looking like a long night for Ely.
A wild pitch sent both runners in scoring position. Cody Ross then grounded out to second, but Sanchez scored to make it 2-0. Andre Ethier doubled for the Dodgers, but nothing came of it.
The Marlins again struck right away, this time Mike Stanton with a double leading off the second. A sacrifice by Nate Robertson got him over to third. As Stanton was leading off after a pitch, Russell Martin tried to throw behind him for the out. It was a bad move, as Martin's throw was horribly off line, sailing to the outfield allowing Stanton to score and go up 3-0.
Casey Blake tried to get things going with a leadoff double in the bottom of the frame. A groundout by James Loney got him to third. Martin already gave a run away earlier, but somewhat made up for it with an RBI single to cut the score to 3-1.
Ely just couldn't get any momentum, as he once again let the leadoff man reach. Ramirez singled to center, and Uggla hit his second infield single. A single by Ross loaded the bases, and the pressure was on. Wes Helms delivered a two-run single to make it 5-1.
Now on a short leash, Ely retired the next two hitters before giving up an RBI single to Robertson (yes, the opposing pitcher) to make the score 6-1. That was all she wrote, as Jeff Weaver came in for the final out.
The rest of the game featured the Dodgers slowly climbing their way back, only to fall just a bit short. They were handed a run in the third. Ronnie Belliard led off and walked. He soon went to third on a single by Ethier and groundout by Matt Kemp. An error by Ronny Paulino scored Belliard, and it was 6-2.
The next inning, the Dodgers again put a dent into the Marlins' lead. Reed Johnson singled with one down. Now with two outs, Rafael Furcal hit a two-run homer to continue his hot streak, and the Dodgers were back in business at 6-4.
Both teams put up blanks the next few innings, as the Marlins held on to a slim lead. But in the eighth, the Dodgers again scored. Ethier walked leading off on four pitches. Two outs later and with Ethier on second, Loney lined an RBI double to left, making it 6-5. Martin had a chance to at least tie the game, but grounded out to the pitcher.
Leo Nunez made sure there would be no heroics on this night, as he retired Garret Anderson, Xavier Paul, and Raffy in order for his 18th save.
I'm sure Ely is kicking himself for getting hit around so much, as this could have been a winnable game had he put in even a decent performance. It was good to see the Dodgers at least make a game of it, as they looked dead early on. The Marlins had to play a full game to earn this one.
The Dodgers held the Marlins scoreless from the fourth inning on all thanks to some great bullpen work. Weaver went 3 1/3 for no hits, no runs, one walk, and two strikeouts. That's exactly why he's there - to keep the game manageable in the middle innings. Ronald Belisario pitched three innings of one-hit ball. Awesome job by both.
Every position starter for the Dodgers got on base, except for Kemp who was 0-for-4. He hit cleanup, so that obviously hurt. Martin's error early in the game also hurt, mostly because it was a completely unnecessary throw. He was just trying to do too much. It cost them in the long run.
Vicente Padilla will look to get the Dodgers off to a much better start on Tuesday. He's pitched very well lately, and will be looking for his third win of the season.
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