Oswalt handcuffs the Dodgers

The good news is that the Dodgers have averaged over seven runs a game against the Phillies the last two games.

The bad news is that they went from all to nothing overnight.

One night after lighting up Citizens Bank Park for 15 runs, the Dodgers were helpless against Roy Oswalt and the Phillies as the lost, 2-0. The loss snaps a three-game winning streak.

As good as Oswalt was, Chad Billingsley was doing everything he could to match. Through three innings, the game was scoreless. The Dodgers put runners on in the second and third, but failed to do anything with it.

The Phillies cracked the scoreboard in the fourth. Placido Palanco singled leading off. Ross Gload lined out to left for one down. Billingsley then walked Raul Ibanez and Jayson Werth consecutively to load the bases. Domonic Brown grounded one softly to second, but Ryan Theriot could only get one out, allowing Palanco to score for a 1-0 lead.

In the fifth, the Dodgers tried to fight right back. Jamey Carroll led off with a double to right. The bottom two of the order were A.J. Ellis and Billingsley, so that meant two automatic outs. Scott Podsednik legged out an infield single for runners on the corners and two outs. Theriot couldn't cash in anyone, as he grounded into a fielder's choice.

The Phillies extended their lead a bit in the sixth. Gload led off with a double to center, but he came up lame going into second and had to be lifted. Ibanez followed with his own double, and it was 2-0. Billingsley settled down to get out of the inning.

Once again, Matt Kemp did not get to start, as Joe Torre wanted to use the same lineup as the night before, as well he should. Kemp did pinch-hit in the seventh with two outs and Carroll on first. Surprise, surprise... Kemp struck out. And that's why he's on the bench.

The only thing the Dodgers got going in the last two innings was Podsednik leading off with a double in the eighth. He ended up getting stranded right there. Brad Lidge shut the Dodgers down in order for the save.

Tuesday night's game may have opened some eyes to the Dodgers' offense again, but tonight's effort closed them again. Oswalt is still a fantastic pitcher, but throwing against the Dodgers made him look even better. About the only guy who did anything was Podsednik in the leadoff spot going 3-for-4. The rest were pathetic.

But it's not like anyone should be surprised. The Dodgers simply do not have the offensive firepower to keep up with these types of teams. The guy who was regarded as their best player coming into the season, Kemp, can't even crack the starting lineup. Ethier went hitless in four at-bats. The guys who should be driving in runs don't do it nearly enough anymore.

The Dodgers just have to hope that something clicks inside of Kemp's head and he starts to hit again. Heck, he just needs to show up period. I remember fantasy heads raving about him before the season how this will be his breakout year. Well, that hasn't quite worked out now, has it?

Billingsley should be given credit for competing hard when runners were on base. He ended up with six innings for five hits, two runs, three walks, and three strikeouts. Kenley Jansen and Hong-Chih Kuo both put up blanks in an inning apiece.

Even with today's clunker, the Dodgers still have the opportunity to win the series on Thursday. They have a great chance of doing so by sending Clayton Kerhsaw to the mound. He'll go against Joe Blanton, who used to be pretty good, but now sports an ERA in the upper 5's.