Recap: Zack Greinke Strikes Out 7 As Dodgers End Losing Streak
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres began a three-game series at Petco Park on Friday tied for first place in the National League West. While both teams sat atop the division, the Dodgers entered play losers in three straight.
Jimmy Rollins continued to struggle at the plate as he flied out to open the game. Andrew Cashner’s next pitch, a 96 MPH fastball, struck Yasiel Puig on his left knee, who immediately went down in pain and remained on the ground for multiple minutes as trainer Stan Conte checked on him.
Puig remained in the game and was erased on Adrian Gonzalez’s inning-ending double play. Zack Greinke retired the first two batters he faced before running into some bad luck as Matt Kemp reached on an infield single that ricocheted off Greinke’s leg. Justin Upton followed with a fly out to left-center field to end a scoreless first inning.
In his first at-bat at Petco Park since the offseason trade, Yasmani Grandal hit a one-out double off the left field wall deep in the corner, nearly clearing the fence for a solo home run. The Dodgers split the difference as Juan Uribe collected his first RBI of the season with a base hit to center field.
Greinke quickly found himself in trouble in the bottom of the second after issuing a leadoff walk to Yonder Alonso. Derek Norris and Will Middlebrooks hit back-to-back singles into left field to load the bases with no outs. Greinke responded by getting consecutive strikeouts and benefitted from a shift as Wil Myers lined to where Howie Kendrick was positioned.
Rollins’ frustration grew in the third as his attempt to reach on a drag bunt was spoiled by Cashner, who scooped up the ball and applied the tag. After Puig flied out, Gonzalez struck out swinging on a ball that got away from Norris. He was originally ruled safe at first base, but review of the play overturned the call to end the inning.
Greinke struck out Cory Spangenberg for the first out in the bottom of the third. He did the same to Kemp, benefitting from Grandal framing a pitch on the outside corner. Upton then hit a comebacker on the first pitch of his at-bat for the final out of what was a much-needed quick inning for the Dodgers starter.
Grandal reached on a one-out single that skipped of Alonso’s glove and into foul territory off the first base line. However, the Dodgers wouldn’t capitalize as Crawford struck out for the second time in the game and Uribe grounded out.
CONTINUE READING: Zack Greinke Strikes Out Seven, Yasiel Puig Gets Injured And Yimi Garcia Shuts The Door
