Dodgers Offense Anemic as Rockies Win 3-0

It looks like Dodger pitchers better get used to pitching with slim margins this year. Clayton Kershaw was once again effective, scattering 3 hits over 6 innings while striking out 8,  but unfortunately 2 of his hits went for home runs.  As it turns out 1 would have been enough for the Rockies as an anemic Dodger offense managed just 5 hits, 4 singles and a double by Tony Gwynn Jr, and the Dodgers became the first team in MLB to be shut out twice in the young season.

The Dodgers are now 3 and 2 and have been outscored 13 to 22 in their 5 games. Colorado starter Jhoulys Chacin pitched 7 solid innings giving up 5 hits and the Dodgers wasted their only two scoring chances of the game when Matt Kemp flied out with 2 outs and runners on first and second in the 3rd inning, and Tony Gwynn grounded out with Jamey Carroll on 3rd to end the fifth inning.

Not counting the 2 balls Aubrey Huff played into triples, aside from Matt Kemp, the entire Dodgers team has 3 extra-base hits, doubles by Loney, Furcal and Gwynn. The Reds had more extra-base hits in one inning last week. The Dodgers also found out 2 things tonight, 1 if Matt Kemp doesn’t carry them they will find it hard to score, and 2 if the other teams defense doesn’t gift them runs, they will find it hard to score.

But have no fear Dodger fans help is on the way, the Dodgers have promoted top catching prospect Carlos Santana, oops I mean 38 year old Casey Blake has been activated from the disabled list. The Dodgers optioned Ivan De Jesus Jr to AAA after the game to make room for Blake. At least the AAA Isotopes should be a fun bunch to watch with a lineup featuring Dee Gordon, Trayvon Robinson, Jerry Sands, IDJ and John Lindsey, who is not a prospect but absolutely mashed AAA pitching last year, something I’m not sure James Loney could do at the moment.

From Tony Jackson at ESPN Los Angeles:

• Jon Garland is scheduled for a rehab start with Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday. John Ely would likely start for the Dodgers in San Diego that day.
• Vicente Padilla had a setback and will see a doctor Wednesday after experiencing soreness following a 60-pitch simulated game.
• Jay Gibbons will be with Albuquerque for their opening day, hopefully not taking away at bats from any legitimate Dodger prospects, as he continues to find a pair of contact lenses to solves his eye troubles. Who knew post sterioid syndrome included vision problems, either that or Gibbons has the worst eye doctor on the planet, in other news Barry Bonds heard the news on Gibbons and scheduled an eye exam.

The Dodgers will be back at it tomorrow at Coors Field for a 12:10 PM PT afternoon affair featuring Chad Billingsley vs Jason Hammel. Hopefully the Dodgers can avoid the sweep and split the series, at the very least scoring a run would be an improvement over tonight.