For the Dodgers, the formula was simple: get a big hit, win the game.
Too bad it never actually happened.
The Dodgers went a dreadful 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position in dropping the Freeway Series opener to the Angels, 3-1. The bottom line is that the big bats were nowhere to be found, wasting a good effort by Clayton Kershaw.
The funny part is that the Angels really weren't any better with their sticks. They were 2-for-17 with runners in scoring position, equaling the Dodgers with 11 men on altogether. The Dodgers topped that by leaving a man on third in five of the first seven innings. Ouch.
Gary Matthews Jr. got the scoring started in the fourth with an infield single that scored Torii Hunter. The Dodgers would fight right back in the bottom of the inning when Russell Martin doubled with one down, and James Loney drove him in with a single.
After Kershaw exited following the fifth, Ramon Troncoso, Brent Leach, and Ronald Belisario held the Angels in check the following two innings. Entering the eighth, it was time for Cory Wade to show his stuff.
Unfortunately, his stuff was pretty awful. He immediately gave up singles to Kendry Morales and Matthews Jr. After a groundout for one down, Macier Izturis drew a walk to load the bases. Both teams have had seemingly 100 men on during the game, but the Angels finally came through on a two-run single by Chonne Figgins to put the game away at 3-1.
I suppose the Dodgers were due to have some luck go the other way for a change, as they've been the ones making all the right plays lately. But the lack of a power threat really hurt them last night. So that means... you guessed it... no Manny Ramirez came back to haunt them.
Kershaw put in five solid innings, giving up only one run on four hits. His biggest problem is still the walk, issuing four this time. If he can improve his control even a little bit, he can do better than throwing 97 pitches in five innings. The fear is that his arm will tire as the season goes on, so let's hope he starts locating better.
If you want a good laugh, check out the box score from the game. There were seven men that had multiple hits and 11 walks taken. Yet only four runs were scored. It's safe to say both teams really missed their sluggers, Manny and Vladimir Guerrero.
Tonight's pitching matchup looks really good, as Randy Wolf takes on John Lackey. Wolf has been absolutely fantastic this year, proving that when healthy, he can can be dominant. Lackey has only made two starts, though one of them can barely be counted considering he was ejected for throwing at Ian Kinsler. So I think he should be well-rested.
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