With news that Vicente Padilla's season is most likely over, Carlos Monasterios was once again given a spot start. Coming into the game, he had an ERA of 3.54 and had put in a pretty solid starts.
Sunday, however, would not be one of them.
The Astros jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead, and after letting the game get tied a few innings later, ended up pulling away late for the 7-4 win. Both teams split two games in this series.
Michael Bourne got things going with a single leading off the bottom of the first, and then stole second. An out later, Hunter Pence connected on a two-run shot and a 2-0 lead. Carlos Lee then singled, and Michael Downs reached on Chin-lung Hu's throwing error. Brett Wallace scored them both with an RBI single, and it was 4-0.
At least the Dodgers made a game out of it instead of rolling over and playing deal. In the fourth, they put up a four spot of their own. Trent Oeltjen, one of the recent call-ups, singled leading off. Andre Ethier hit an infield single an out later to put two on. Jay Gibbons was the hero a couple of nights ago, and he launched a three-run shot to make it 4-3.
James Loney then smacked a triple and came around to score on Russell Mitchell's sac-fly RBI. It was a bad start, but the Dodgers had new life with a 4-4 game.
That new life wouldn't last long, as Ramon Troncoso relieved in the fifth and was horrible. Wallace doubled with one out. Following a flyout, Jason Castro stepped in and doubled in a run to make it 5-4. Geoff Blum pinch-hit and also doubled, this time a ground rule double, and a run scored to put it at 6-4.
Loney hit a double to start the seventh but was stranded with three straight outs. Reed Johnson singled to open the eighth, but was also left on base. The Astros got another run in the ninth when Carlos Lee homered off of Octavio Dotel.
Brandon Lyon pitched a flawless ninth for his 15th save. He got the lethal combination of Hu, Brad Ausmus, and Johnson. Talk about accomplishing a nearly impossible feat!
Monasterios only lasted 1 1/3 innings for five hits, four runs (three earned), two walks, and two strikeouts. Hu's error didn't help, but the damage had been done. His ERA ballooned up to 4.29. It's hard to get too mad when he doesn't pitch well, as he's clearly not starting material. In the future, who knows, but I would think he'll have to make it in the bullpen if he's going to keep a career in the bigs.
Jeff Weaver recently said he'd like to pitch again next year, and he did a good job in pitching two scoreless innings. As far as pitching next year, his 4.75 ERA certainly does him no favors. Ronald Belisario got two outs, but Troncoso got smacked around for five hits and two runs in two innings. That's the kind of year it's been for him.
I was happy to see some of the young guns get a chance to play like Oletjan, Mitchell, and Hu. The bad part was that they combined to go 1-for-9 with one run and one RBI. But with the Dodgers on a destination to nowhere, they have to get at-bats and take some lumps. It's good to keep an eye on the future and see who, if any, can emerge.
While this game was essentially meaningless, it was nice to see Ausmus get one last start against the team he spent many good years with. This season has been pretty forgettable for him, as he missed a lot of time with a back injury and is hitting only .203. But, from what I've heard about him, I'm sure he'll be managing someday.
The Dodgers have 18 games left, and 12 of them are against the Rockies, Giants, and Padres. In the very least, the Dodgers have to play those games with some pride of being spoilers. Yes, it's obviously not the same as getting into the postseason themselves, but any misery they can bring those teams will at least be some small consolation to an otherwise dull season.
After an off day Monday, the Dodgers travel to San Francisco for three. Clayton Kershaw will take the mound looking for his 12th win against Barry Zito.
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