For everything that went right for the Dodgers the first two games, the Giants made sure that didn't happen again for a third.
After their own miscues possibly cost them chances of winning previously, the Giants put it all together on Saturday afternoon as they crushed the Dodgers, 10-0. It's the first loss of the season for the Dodgers after taking the first two games.
Playing a day game after a night game, and with Juan Uribe still out nursing a sore elbow, Don Mattingly used what was pretty much a "B" lineup. Out were Rafael Furcal, Tony Gwynn, and Rod Barajas, in were Aaron Miles, Xavier Paul, and Hector Gimenez. Plus, Jamey Carroll and Ivan De Jesus got starts in the infield.
If you're saying to yourself, "Wow, that is one weak lineup, even with Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier," well... you're right. Because it was.
The Dodgers got nine hits, which is pretty good, including a 3-for-4 day from Ethier, but could do nothing with those runners on. Eight were left on base, and the other was erased on a double play ball from Kemp. The only extra-base hit of the day was Kemp's double in the second leading off.
The Giants started the scoring in the third off of Ted Lilly. Mark DeRosa and Aaron Rowand singled leading off, and Matt Cain sacrificed them to scoring position. An RBI groundout by Miguel Tejada made it 1-0.
That's as much of a lead that Cain needed, because like I said before, the Dodgers couldn't capitalize on any baserunners they got against him at all. He went six strong for five hits, no runs, no walks, and three strikeouts. He may be listed as the #3 starter, but he's good enough to be an ace on so many other teams.
Lilly's unraveling came in the fifth. A little bit of controversy was thrown in there, as he was called for a balk after picking off Rowand going to second. It could have been two on and none out, but instead, Cain's strikeout didn't end the inning. What followed were RBI singles by Tejada and Aubrey Huff, and an RBI double from Freddy Sanchez, making it 4-0.
The next inning brought more of the same, as Kenley Jansen's season debut was awful, allowing four runs on four hits. And what do you know - a leadoff walk to Brandon Belt started it all. Even Cain walked. It wasn't pretty. Damn walks.
Lilly ended up going 4 2/3 for six hits, four runs, one walk, and three strikeouts. Had he gotten the call in the fifth on the pickoff, it could have been a whole different story. But he didn't, and that's the way it goes. I wouldn't worry about him. He'll be fine.
Lance Cormier appeared for the first time, eating up the last three innings while surrendering two runs. At that point with the game well in hand for the bad guys, it was all about saving the other arms, so mission accomplished.
Through three games, we've seen what the Dodgers need to do to win: pitch and get hits when they need them. Oh, and a little luck may factor in as well. A lineup like today's would have been hard to beat a stud like Cain, but still, losing by 10 is tough to swallow. The hope was that Ethier and Kemp would carry the load, and while they did go a combined 4-for-7, it wasn't nearly enough.
If the Dodgers get a win on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, then three of four at home to start the season against the defending champs is a great start, even with the stinker today. Hiroki Kuroda will get the call. Barry Zito is scheduled to go for the Giants, but we'll see if that happens considering he was just in a car accident. Thankfully he's doing well, so it would be good to see him pitch tomorrow, or soon at least.
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