The losses were felt all over the place on Tuesday night. Before the game, Matt Guerrier was placed on the 15-day DL with a sore elbow. During the game, Juan Rivera (hamstring) and Aaron Harang (foot) both had to leave early. And after the game, the Dodgers were handed their first home loss of the season to the Braves, 4-3.
Everything started off well enough in the first. As has been the case all season, the Dodgers pounced in inning #1. Mark Ellis singled with an out. Matt Kemp flew out, but Rivera picked him up by clobbering a ball into the left field pavilion for a 2-0. It was Rivera's first longball of the season.
Harang was rolling until the fifth. Celebrating his 40th birthday, Chipper Jones led off with a homer to right to make it 2-1. Jayson Heyward and Tyler Pastornicky followed with singles. An out later, Martin Prado tied the game up with a fielder's choice, and we were back to square one
Both teams tacked on a run in the sixth. Harang stayed in the game, even though he would later admit his foot was only getting worse thanks to a foul ball that struck it early on. Brian McCann singled and Dan Uggla walked, but a double play soon put McCann at third. Heyward was walked intentionally to pitch to Pastornicky, yet a wild pitch brought home a run to make it 3-2.
Dee Gordon and Ellis immediately started the comeback, as they singled to start the bottom of the inning. In an odd play, Gordon eventually scored on Kemp's grounder and Uggla's error. But, Kemp was called out for rounding first too much for two out. Andre Ethier flew out to end the inning.
The score remained deadlocked until the ninth. Javy Guerra was called upon to keep it that way, but it wasn't meant to be. Pastornicky again singled leading off. Now with two outs, Prado hit a long fly ball to Kemp in center that was just out of his reach for the RBI triple, and the Braves led 4-3.
The Dodgers put a couple of men on in the ninth from a single by Jerry Hairston, Jr. and a walk by A.J. Ellis. Tony Gwynn struck out swinging to end it and give Craig Kimbrel his sixth save.
The injuries to Rivera and Harang don't appear serious, but it's still a case of bad timing considering Guerrier was just placed on the DL. Rivera is about the only other threat besides Kemp and Ethier to drive in runs, and he's versatile because he can play outfield and first base, so he'll be missed if he's gone for an extended period. Hopefully not.
Harang was putting together a solid start until fading late. The foot issue definitely didn't help things. He went six innings for six hits, three runs, four walks, and two strikeouts. He's now 1-1 this season, but with a 5.16 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. Those numbers will eventually come down as he builds up his arm strength. We're not talking All-Star numbers here, but something in line for a respectable 4-5 starter at least.
Guerra has been asked to do a lot already this season, and for the most part he's been great. Tuesday night was a bump in the road, as he just barely wasn't able to keep the game tied. Still, though, he's 7-for-8 in save situations with a 2.89 ERA, so one bad night isn't going to ruin him.
Thursday night is the rubber match, and it's a battle of good pitchers. Ted Lilly and his 0.69 ERA will take on Brandon Beachy and his 0.47 ERA. Basically, it's old school vs. new school. A win by the Dodgers would be another positive sign early this season in winning a series against a perennial contender.
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