Nathan Eovaldi did his part, pitching very well into the sixth, but the offense again came up empty for him as the Dodgers fell to the Rockies, 3-2. The Giants won again, and combining that with 8 losses in the last 11 games for the Dodgers, the lead in the NL West is down to three.
The Rockies got on the board in the first. Dexter Fowler has been playing very well lately, and he singled leading off. He then swiped second and scampered to third on a passed ball by A.J. Ellis. With the infield in, Marco Scuturo was still able to score the speedy Folwer on a groundout to make it 1-0.
Not much was happening on either side in the first part of the game. Alex White came into the game with a 6.28 ERA, but you wouldn't know it by the way the Dodgers were hitting. Or, weren't hitting in this case. Ellis and Eovaldi both took walks in the third with one out, but Dee Gordon and Elian Herrera couldn't do anything with it.
In the sixth, the Rockies broke through for more runs. It started with a walk to Fowler. Scuturo forced Fowler at second, but a single by Carlos Gonzalez and sac-fly by Michael Cuddyer got him to third. Eovaldi needed one more big pitch, but couldn't find it as Todd Helton stroked an RBI single, and Jason Pacheco an RBI double to make it 3-0. Josh Lindblom came in early to get the final out.
The Dodgers fought right back, finally showing some life at the plate. James Loney took a walk with one out. Ellis has been awesome all season, and that continued with a two-run laser to right, his sixth of the season, cutting it to 3-2. Adam Kennedy and Gordon soon found themselves on with two outs. Alex Castellanos pinch-hit against Mark Belisle and hit a sharp grounder to second that was gloved beautifully by DJ LeMahieu for the final out. That was definitely a game-saver.
Rafael Betencourt survived a couple deep fly balls from Ellis and Tony Gwynn in the ninth to earn his 10th save.
One day after breaking a five-game losing streak, the Dodgers showed again why they miss Matt Kemp, as they were unable to get that one more big hit. They only managed three hits all game (Ellis's homer and singles by Gordon and Jerry Hairston, Jr.). I know White had a good day, but still, that was a pretty weak effort at the plate.
Eovaldi, on the other hand, brought the goods, just didn't get much help. He lasted 5 2/3 innings for five hits, three runs (two earned), four walks, and four strikeouts. The four walks is a little high, as his walk to Fowler in the sixth started their rally. But, he also showed how good of stuff he has, and that he's more than ready to step in as a permanent starter when the time calls.
Right now the Dodgers are in the midst of a 10-game roadie, and have started 1-2. Considering they just got swept at home in four straight by the Brewers, I still think it's a good thing they are on the road. They are about to play four in Philly, followed by interleague play for three in Seattle. Both teams are a combined 52-59. They're certainly not terrible, but not the greatest right now either.
First up is the Phillies' series on Monday. Clayton Kershaw will get the start, as he's taken a couple straight losses. If the Dodgers are banged up, then the Phillies are really hurting, considering Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley are all on the DL. Vance Worley goes for the Phillies.
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