Just when you thought the Dodgers were well on their way to getting shut out and swept, Dioner Navarro woke up from hibernation.
Navarro's solo shot with one out in the eighth broke open a scoreless ballgame, and Javy Guerra picked up the save as the Dodgers won, 1-0. The win is the first in a week for the Dodgers, who were on a five-game losing streak to begin their 12-game homestand. Oh by the way, they just barely avoided getting swept by the lowly Astros.
It's nothing to brag about, but it's nice to actually get a win for a change.
Hiroki Kuroda was given the ball and was the latest starting pitcher to try and break the losing streak. Not only were the Dodgers on a bad losing streak, but Kuroda had a personal five-game losing streak of his own. He was once 5-3 on May 17... now he's 5-8.
It's a shame that his record will remain 5-8, despite pitching his butt off today. He lasted seven innings for three hits, no runs, two walks, and six strikeouts. Even though his record has tanked, this is his fourth straight good start. In other words, four straight starts in which the offense didn't back him up. Gee, what a shock.
Bud Norris was every bit as good as Kuroda, as he pitched six scoreless frames himself. He could have gone longer, but with two outs in the seventh, Matt Downs pinch-hit for him with Chris Johnson on second from a leadoff double. It didn't work, as Downs popped up for the final out.
The Dodgers had a great chance to score in the seventh and give Kuroda that elusive sixth win. Andre Ethier walked leading off, and one out later, James Loney singled. Wilton Lopez relieved Sergio Escalona to pitch to Casey Blake. Right on cue, Blake grounded into the 5-4-3 double play to waste another scoring opportunity.
It's a good thing Navarro got into one in the eighth, because you got the feeling that these teams would just go on and on, boring everyone in the process. With Rod Barajas now on the 15-day DL with a bad ankle, Navarro is going to get more chances to play. Today was a good start for him with a 2-for-3 day, raising his average to a blistering... .175. Hey, you've got to start somewhere, right?
Matt Guerrier is the one who picked up the win, as he's now pitched three scoreless innings in three appearances. He started off the year a house of fire with a 2.45 May ERA, but June hasn't been so kind. He's been searching for that consistency for a little while now. Like Navarro, today was a positive step.
Guerra made only one appearance this past week against the Reds, so he's been used sparingly. But, he looked really good in getting his second save with a perfect ninth, all on grounders (with a great play by Blake for support). He only has one outing in which he's allowed multiple runs, and with a current 2.70 ERA, he should be getting more chances late in games. Of course, that's pending on the Dodgers actually having a lead.
The homestand is now halfway through, and even with a win today, 1-5 is just an utter disaster. The Tigers now come to town for three, and they're right on the heels of the Indians for first in the AL Central. Thankfully the Dodgers avoid the great Justin Verlander, who completely shut down the Rockies today. I can't even imagine what he'd do to this offense. The Angels soon follow for three.
A realistic goal for the Dodgers would be to split these next six games, though if I had to guess, I'd say they'll maybe win a couple of them. I certainly hope I'm wrong, but with an offense that's still on life support, I just don't see them running off a few wins in a row. Getting a couple from the Tigers would be nice.
Clayton Kershaw will take the ball on Monday. He'll be matched up with old Dodger Brad Penny, who went to a couple All-Star games, including one start, when he was in blue.
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