Dodgers 2 Phillies 6: Bullpen Woes

After winning the last four games, the Dodgers fell short today versus the Phillies and once again a game back of San Francisco. 

The Dodgers sent Scott Kazmir to hill today to go for the series sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies. Today’s game started off the right way for the Dodgers, as Kazmir worked a quick 1-2-3 inning in the top half of the first. The Dodgers would then strike first in the bottom half by a RBI double by Adrian Gonzalez.

After the Dodgers took the quick lead, the game transitioned to more of a pitcher’s duel. The Phillies sent Jeremy Hellickson to the mound. Hellickson has posted a 5-2 record in his last two starts, with a 2.67 ERA and 37 strikeouts. After allowing the first-inning run, Hellickson completed the next four innings by just giving up one run and striking out four.

Kazmir, on the other hand, was as good as it gets through six innings today. Kazmir entered the seventh inning with a one-run lead, but after allowing two quick baserunners, he was replaced by Grant Dayton. After immediately striking out Tyler Goeddel, Dayton ran into some trouble. Dayton left a 2-2 fastball up to shortstop Freddy Galvis, who in return, hit a three-run home run to left field. Two of the runs that scored did belong to Kazmir, who ended his day going six innings while striking out six and giving up two earned runs.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Dodgers quickly responded with a run of their own. Howie Kendrick laced a double to left-field, his 19th of the season. After Kendrick’s double, third baseman Rob Segedin singled him to make the game 3-2. Segedin went 1-4 today, as he got the start for Justin Turner. It was a rare day off for Turner, who has been hitting over .300 his last 30 games to go with 10 home-runs. Still down just one run, the Dodgers were able to get two baserunners on in the eighth and one in scoring position. After a Corey Seager double and Yasmani Grandal walk, Joc Pederson stepped up to the plate with a chance to tie the game. Pederson would ground out to Galvis to end the inning and keep the Dodgers down one run.

Facing a one-run deficit, Dave Roberts called in Kenley Jansen to work the ninth. Jansen struggled early, walking Carlos Ruiz and allowing a single to Odubel Herrera. After a steal by Herrera, Jansen intentionally walked Galvis to load the bases. Ryan Howard stepped to the plate as a pinch-hitter for the pitcher and effectively did some damage. Howard cleared the bases with a three-run double to extend the Phillies lead to 6-2.

The Dodgers failed to make anything interesting in the ninth, dropping today’s game 6-2.

Today’s loss was the first for the Dodgers in their last five games. The Dodgers now are just one game back of the Giants for the division lead but retain a four-game lead in the Wild Card. The Dodgers return to action Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.