One step forward, one step back.
The Dodgers got a solid win on Saturday night, but that was all flushed away after watching today's lousy effort. They couldn't do anything right, as the Braves crushed them on their home turf, 13-1. Hitting, starting pitching, bullpen... it didn't matter. It was all terrible.
The tone was set right away for the Dodgers, as they showed not what they could do to win a game, but what they could do to lose it. Scott Podsednik led off and ripped a double to right. Ryan Theriot laid down a great bunt and was just thrown out at first, but Podsednik advanced to third with one down.
So here came the heart of the Dodgers' order: Andre Ethier and James Loney. Even a sacrifice fly would be alright. Anything to score a run. What would happen? Ethier struck out and Loney grounded out.
And that, my friends, sums up the Dodgers in a nutshell. Provide a glimmer of hope, only to fail miserably when the heat is on.
Still, Vicente Padilla looked like he'd be locked in a pitcher's duel with Jair Jurrjens based on the first couple of innings. Padilla got through the Braves in order thanks to a double play grounder from Troy Glaus in the second.
Then the third came, and the wheels started to fall off the bus.
It started with a single by Brooks Conrad. He scored on Melky Cabrera's double. Jurrjens laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Omar Infante hit an RBI single to go up 2-0. Rick Ankiel singled, and Alex Gonzalez hit a two-run triple to make it 4-0.
Judging by this past week, it seems as if the Dodgers either score a whole lot of runs or little to none. Facing a good pitcher like Jurrjens and not doing much to start the game, it was obvious that this was going to be a long afternoon. Boy was it ever.
Of course, the Dodgers did have a chance to at least cut into the deficit in the fourth. Theriot singled and Loney doubled an out later for runners in scoring position. What would Matt Kemp do with it? Strike out, that's what. Ronnie Belliard grounded out to end the inning.
Padilla was chased in the fifth after giving up a sac-fly RBI to Brian McCann and a long three-run homer to Glaus. The game was already over at 4-0, but you may as well have sent everyone home at 8-0. Maybe catch the end of the PGA Championship or something.
The bullpen came in and turned a blowout into an absolute joke, as the Braves just did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted with the bats. Carlos Monasterios gave up a run in 1 2/3 innings. George Sherrill got an out, but don't you worry, he still gave up two hits.
Sandwiched in between those two was Ronald Belisario, who was pitiful. In 1 2/3 innings, he gave up four runs on four hits and a walk. For a guy who once looked like a future star, this year has been a total waste for him. In between arriving late to start the year, injuries, and getting arrested, he's put together a 5.63 ERA. Impressive! Not.
Look, the Dodgers aren't this bad, but they aren't good either. They're struggling just to be a decent team right now. They put men on base and do jack squat with them. The Braves don't have huge power numbers at all, but find ways to get those guys in. And there's a major difference between a team in decline and one in playoff contention.
Even if the Dodgers did score more, it's not like it would have mattered much when the pitching gave up double-digit runs. The bullpen is just a complete mess. The only two guys I'd trust right now are Hong-Chih Kuo and Octavio Dotel. Kenley Jansen is close, but needs more seasoning. The rest could be good, but do a whole to show why they're not.
Both teams will play a wraparound game on Monday. For reasons that only make sense to Major League Baseball, it will be played at night. Then the Dodgers have to get on a plane, fly across the country, and host a home game on Tuesday. Why isn't Monday's game during the day? I have no idea.
Chad Billingsley will look to give the Dodgers a split. It won't be easy, as the Braves counter with Tommy Hanson.
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