The Dodgers entered Monday night's game in Philadelphia with a red hot offense that scored 20 runs in two games. They knew they'd be put to the test against the Phillies' great arms. How would they do?
So far, uh... not so good.
Lee struck 10 in seven dominant innings, and the Dodgers only managed a single run the whole night as they fell to the Phillies, 3-1. The loss came on the same day that Juan Uribe, Blake Hawksworth, and Marcus Thames were activated from the DL, and hot prospect Dee Gordon was called up.
The game started out with plenty of promise, as Jamey Carroll and Aaron Miles hit consecutive singles to lead off the game. Andre Ethier sat out this game with some soreness, so Don Mattingly had a decision to make on whom to place in front of Matt Kemp in the #3 hole. That spot went to Thames, who promptly hit into a double play. Kemp then struck out, and just like that, it was an opportunity lost.
Ted Lilly was given the unenviable task of going against Lee, and he got through the first couple of inning fine. But, in the third, Wilson Valdez doubled and soon went to third on a sacrifice. Shane Victorino took a walk for runners on the corners. Placido Polanco hit an RBI groundout to make it 1-0. After Chase Utley lined out to center, Ryan Howard's RBI single pushed it to 2-0.
That's all Lee would need, as the Dodgers tried to chip away here and there, but couldn't crack the scoreboard. Carroll and Miles again singled with two outs in the fifth, but Thames struck out. In fact, Lee's curveball had the Dodgers off balanced all night. It was that nasty.
Hawksworth pitched a flawless seventh in his first appearance since May 10. Mike MacDougal was then given the ball in the eighth and gave up a run. He gave up a couple of walks to Utley and Ben Francisco before Carlos Ruiz doubled off the left field wall to score a run to make it 3-0.
With Brad Lidge still on the DL, Ryan Madson has been a perfect 12-for-12 in save opportunities. The Dodgers tried to mount a comeback anyway when Uribe doubled leading off. Speedy Gordon came on to run, and he went to third on James Loney's single, who came in for Casey Blake when he was tossed earlier in the game for arguing a horrible called third strike. Ethier pinch-hit and got an RBI on a fielder's choice. Rod Barajas and Dioner Navarro then struck out to end the game.
I don't care what team it is, the arms in the Phillies' rotation are good enough to shut anyone down. The Dodgers were without Ethier in the starting lineup, so it was already an uphill climb. What I didn't agree with is hitting Thames third. I'm all for showing confidence in guys but after going 0-for-4 to lower his average to .158, it's not looking like a good decision. Uribe had two hits, so he probably should've been in that spot.
Lilly battled, as he lasted six innings for five hits, two runs, one walk, and four strikeouts. His ERA is down to 4.13 after being at 4.98 early in May. I was plenty worried about him considering he wasn't locating well at all, but he's turned it around nicely.
After Sunday's game, I talked about how tough it would be for the Dodgers to win in these three games. I'd be happy if they get just one of these. They had a chance early on in this one to get to Lee, but blew it. Now they'll have to try and figure out Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels. Oh joy.
Matched up against the veteran Oswalt will by young Rubby De La Rosa, making his first big league start. With the millions of injuries the Dodgers have suffered this season, he was not only rushed up to the bullpen, but now to the starting rotation. He has great stuff, and what bigger way to make a splash than with a road win over the Phillies. It'll be fun to watch.
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