A Slow Day for the Dodgers Offense

Dodgers 2 5 0
Red Sox 4 8 1

WP: Jon Lester (12-7)
LP: Hyun Jin Ryu (12-5)
S: Koji Uehara (13)
HR: Jonny Gomes

With one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, pinch hitter Carl Crawford walked and Yasiel Puig singled to center off reliever Junichi Tazawa. With two outs, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez doubled in the gap in center, making it 4-2. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez walked setting it up for catcher A.J. Ellis. Boston closer Koji Uehara comes into game, replacing Craig Breslow and strikes out Ellis to end the threat. Its unfortunate that the Dodgers lose 4-2. That is a part of baseball!

Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

For the beginning part of the game, it hasn’t gone so well for the Dodgers offense, considering that Red Sox pitcher, Jon Lester was looking like his old self. The pitcher that would constantly dominate other teams. He sure is showing it after having a tough season. Lester, came into the game with 4.09 ERA. It is unusual to see him have that high of an ERA. Lester pitched for 7 1/3 innings gave up 1 run, 3 hits and 4 walks and the Dodgers offense couldn’t figure him out.

Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu hit Red Sox outfielder and former Dodger, Shane Victorino, was a mistake that led to second baseman Dustin Pedroia getting on with an infield single and first baseman Mike Napoli singling to right to score Victorino from second, 1-0. With first and second, outfielder Jonny Gomes hits a home run to center on the first pitch he saw from Ryu, quickly making it 4-0. Ryu got out of the inning, but had a rough inning to start the game. Not the way you would want to start any game, but it is what it is.

Ryu, threw for five innings gave up five hits, one of the hits was three run home run, and had seven strike outs. It was Ryu’s shortest outing in the MLB. Lately, the Dodgers have started their scoring in the 4th inning twice in Miami, and once yesterday, at least two runs have scored for the Dodgers. Lester came close to giving up a run, but was able to get out of the jam.

Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Puig showed his immaturity again in the bottom of the 6th inning by getting doubled up on a soft line drive by second baseman Mark Ellis to end the potential damage that the Dodgers could have done. Puig took off for second on his own when Ellis hit that soft line drive. Puig was 2 for 3 with 1 walk and a run in the game.

I do not remember the last time, Carlos Marmol pitched in the 6th inning. That just shows you that today’s game was not a good game for the Dodgers offense. Don’t get me wrong, but I like what Marmol has to offer, he has closer experience, he has the type of pitches that can strike out batters, He struck out the side despite having the one walk. It shows that Marmol is improving and his confidence is getting stronger every day, pitching for a 1st place team, like the Dodgers. Marmol threw 1 1/3 innings with 3 strike outs and 1 walk. Another solid outing from Marmol, who I hope the Dodgers fans are now rooting for this guy.

Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Brian Wilson made his second appearance as a Dodger and got into bit of a jam in the 8th inning with the base loaded, but like the veteran pitcher that he is, he was able to get out of the jam with a scoreless inning. He gave up 2 hits and a walk given up and had 1 strike out. Dodgers fans do not get on him for getting into a base loaded jam. It happens to every pitcher like Wilson, a former closer in San Francisco. Wilson hasn’t pitched in 17 months due to the Tommy John surgery. Give Wilson some time to really dig in and get comfortable and feel like himself again. Watch, come October he will be one of the best relievers in the bullpen.

Tomorrow, its Chris Capuano with a 4.70 ERA, looking for his fifth win of the season, against Red Sox starter Jake Peavy at 5:05 PT on ESPN as the Dodgers will try to rebound from today. Go Blue!