Dodgers run straight into a loss

If there was a way for the Dodgers to run into outs on the bases Monday, they figured it out.

The Dodgers hit into a triple play, four double plays, and were gunned down twice at home in falling to the Brewers, 3-0. Despite seven hits and five walks, they came away with nothing to show for it, mostly due to some horrendous decisions on the bases and lack of clutch hitting.

Andre Ethier started the double play fun in the first, as his ended the inning. Then came the second, and an unusual triple play was turned. Matt Kemp walked and Juan Rivera singled to get a threat going. James Loney then did what he does best - ground a puny ball to the infield. Josh Wilson made a slick play to flip to second for one, then on to first for the second out.

Kemp likes to take chances on the base paths, and who can blame him with that speed. But, it was bad timing as Prince Fielder fired to home to complete the triple play. It was a close call, but the ball clearly beat Kemp to home, so it was almost automatic that he would be out.

The next inning, the Dodgers ran into yet another out at home. Dioner Navarro hit a ground rule double to dead center leading off. Sunday's hero Justin Sellers stepped up and singled to center. Apparently third base coach Tim Wallach didn't learn from the last inning, as he gave Navarro the green light, only to be thrown out by about 70 feet. Seriously, it wasn't even close and just a horrible decision.

Just in case you thought the Dodgers couldn't possibly be worse on the bases, they struck again in the fourth. Ethier took a walk with one out to give Kemp an RBI opportunity. Kemp hit a sinking fly ball to center that was gloved on a great diving catch by Jerry Hairston Jr. Ethier apparently forgot how to be smart as he was easily doubled up at first for the final out. Pathetic.

All along, Ted Lilly was throwing a great game, and got through the Brewers' first 11 hitters in order. Then he grooved an 0-2 pitch right in the heart of the plate to Ryan Braun, and it was gone to make it 1-0. After all the runners the Dodgers put on, they came up with nothing, and the Brewers scored on one swing. Unreal.

Loney added to the misery by grounding into his own DP in the fifth. Why did he do that? It's simple, because he sucks. Bad. He might have a good glove, but I can't wait until the end of the season so that Dodgers can non-tender him. He's hitting .258 and is a complete non-factor at the plate.

The Dodgers wasted a bases loaded opportunity in the seventh when Navarro flew out for the last out. Still, Lilly got around a couple runners on with one out to keep the score at 1-0 entering the final couple of innings.

After 93 pitches, Don Mattingly chose to pinch-hit Lilly in the top of the eighth, and although Jamey Carroll singled, nothing came of it. In came Scott Elbert to start the bottom of the frame. He had been great lately, but not on this night, as Jonathan Lucroy homered leading off to make it 2-0.

Following an out, Mattingly then went to Mike MacDougal. Once again, the decision flopped, as Corey Hart hit a solo shot to make it 3-0. That's right - three runs scored on three home runs.

Jonathan Axford came on looking for his 35th save. Kemp singled off him with one out. How would this game end? Fittingly, as Rivera lined into a double play at first. It was a hard hit ball, so you can't fault Rivera there. But, it was still an appropriate end to a frustrating night.

Lilly did all he could, but got zero help. He lasted seven innings for two hits, one run, two walks, and six strikeouts. It's funny because he's had a bad year, but over his last two starts in facing good teams in the Phillies and Brewers, he's given up three runs in 15 innings. The result? Two losses. Shocking.

I know the Dodgers aren't even close to a playoff team this year, but their futility in running the bases was very disappointing. There's just no excuse for getting thrown out twice at home, and watching a guy like Ethier make a boneheaded play getting doubled up. But I can't say I'm too surprised by Ethier; he just looks like he's not mentally in the game this year. He's hitting .297, but with only 10 homers and 59 RBIs. Add to the fact that he whined about his contract before the season, it just hasn't been a good season for him.

Ethier should be a guy that steps up and leads the way, but he's doing anything but that. He's not getting big hits, he ran the bases like a moron, and you know he thinks he should be paid more. Maybe the Dodgers would be better off without him. Or at least checking to see what they can get for him. To me, he doesn't have leadership qualities that this team needs to win.

I can at least hope that it turns around, because it did for Kemp after last year. We shall see.

Chad Billingsley will get the start on Tuesday, and we all know how he's struggled lately. He'll go against Yovani Gallardo, who's pitched very well the last couple of months.