Hey, he's only human, right?
Clayton Kershaw gave up three early runs and the bats were unable to get a big hit. Combine them both, and it equaled a win for the Astros, 3-1. The Dodgers have now dropped two straight after winning the previous six.
The game opened with a double by Jason Altuve, which was part of the five extra-base hits Kersahw surrendered, a career high. J.D. Martinez reached an out later on interference by A.J. Ellis, something you don't see too often. Carlos Lee grounded into a potential double play, but Elian Herrera threw the ball away after getting the first out, scoring Altuve to go up 1-0.
The Dodgers put two men on in the first and second with one out, but both times did nothing with it. In the third, Jed Lowrie doubled with one out. Martinez followed that up with a two-run homer, and the Astros surprisingly had a 3-0 lead.
Kershaw eventually settled down from there, as the Astros never scored again. But, the damage was already done thanks to the Dodgers' sputtering offense that just could not find a way to push a few runs across.
The biggest chance to at least tie the game came in the eighth. Hererra singled with one out to chase Lucas Harrell, who pitched a great game. The lefty Wesley Wright entered to pitch to Bobby Abreu and Andre Ethier, who both responded with a walk and single to load the bases.
Out went Wright, and in came Wilton Lopez. Just like that, the returning Jerry Hairston, Jr. got an RBI on a walk to make it 3-1.
With James Loney up, the lefty Fernando Adab came in. Don Mattingly had a decision to make here. Would he stick with Loney, who has struggled against lefties and grounded into a double play earlier this game? Or, would he go with a young gun off the bench? He chose the latter, as Ivan De Jesus got the call.
Did it work? Um, no. De Jesus struck out, and Ellis flew out to end the inning. Herrera struck out to give Brett Myers his 12th save.
I'm sure Loney won't be happy about being pulled in a big spot, but I applaud Mattingly for taking that stand. If anything, it's a message to Loney that no matter what he says, he has to produce more against lefties when given the chance if he wants to be in there more. When you're 7-for-40 for a .175 AVG against lefties this year, you haven't earned that at-bat. Turning to De Jesus didn't work out, but it was the right call to make at the time.
Kershaw had a hard time getting on track, as he admitted after the game to not having much control. But his final line was still good, as he lasted seven innings for five hits (no singles, strangely), three runs (two earned), three walks, and six strikeouts. He dropped to 4-2, but with a 1.97 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. So ya, he's still pretty good.
The offense didn't do their part to back him up, as seven hits and five walks led to 10 men left on base. Ouch. Abreu got on base all four times thanks to a hit and three walks, and Hairston was the only one with an RBI from the walk. There's not a whole lot to say after that. The hits just weren't coming.
Saturday night will be a good challenge for the Dodgers. The Astros have something to play for, as a win would get them to .500, and they have their ace on the mound in Bud Norris. The Dodgers counter with Chad Billingsley, who is anything but an ace.
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