The Dodgers were thumped 7-0 by the Phillies at home on Monday. Cliff Lee was fantastic, Paul Maholm was not, and there really wasn't any reason to think the Dodgers stood at chance in this one.
As if the loss wasn't bad enough, the overworked bullpen didn't get a chance for some rest, either. Maholm lasted five inefficient innings, and has a 5.40 ERA through three starts (six games total). Brandon League pitched two scoreless innings.
Let's say that again: Brandon League pitched two scoreless innings. Somehow he has a 3.60 ERA. Good for him, but then again, the Dodgers were getting waxed, so it's not like there was any pressure on him.
The final two innings were pitched by Jose Dominguez, who was once again recalled to make it stint #3 with the Dodgers already this year. He certainly throws hard, but a two-run homer by Carlos Ruiz put the exclamation mark on a Phillies' victory.
Dominguez took the place of Chone Figgins, who was sent to Triple-A Albuquerque. He only has six at-bats this season and was pretty much the forgotten player. It's not like he's had a chance to really show his stuff, to his defense. But then again, if you were the manager, would YOU want to play him? I think not.
If you're wondering why Paco Rodriguez wasn't recalled, he still has to wait 10 days before he's eligible, unless he's replacing an injured player. He's pitched two scoreless innings at Triple-A.
For obvious reasons, the Dodgers can't wait for Clayton Kershaw to come back, if for no other reason than to give the bullpen a break. That would potentially bump Maholm to more of a long relief role, something Don Mattingly has strangely not utilized Jamey Wright for. With Kershaw, Zack Greinke, and Hyun-Jin Ryu as the top three in the rotation, the bullpen wouldn't be needed a whole lot.
With Maholm, Dan Haren, and Josh Beckett going the last three games, the bullpen was needed too much. Hence the move to add another bullpen arm.
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