Series Recap: Injuries Plague Dodgers As Giants Take 3 Of 4

Saturday was a disaster as Ricky Nolasco came into the game with a seven game win streak and a 1.64 ERA in August.  However, Nolasco only lasted 1.1 innings Saturday, getting tagged for seven runs, five earned.

Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt combined to drive in 13 of the Giants 19 runs on Saturday as Pence drove in seven, including a grand slam in the fifth inning off of Stephen Fife.  The 19 runs were the most ever scored by an opponent in Dodger Stadium history and reminded Dodger fans of the 16-1 loss to the Phillies earlier in the season.

The Dodgers looked poised to bounce back Sunday, since they got another decent start from Edinson Volquez (5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 K, 0 BB), and thanks to a bases loaded double from Adrian Gonzalez in the fifth inning, they took a 3-1 lead.

However, Volquez couldn’t hold it, giving up a two-run bomb to Pence that tied the game.  J.P. Howell and Brian Wilson held the Giants in check until the eighth, but Paco Rodriguez gave up a solo shot to Pill for a 4-3 Giants lead that would stand.

Puig came into the game to pinch hit with the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the ninth, but Giants’ closer Sergio Romo got him to ground out to end the game.

It was a frustrating weekend for Dodger fans as the team’s magic number to clinch remained four after Thursday night’s thrilling victory.  The Dodgers will head to Arizona next for a four-game series with the Diamondbacks and good news could be on the horizon as Matt Kemp is expected to rejoin the team.

Hyun-Jin Ryu (13-6, 3.07 ERA) will take the mound for the Dodgers on Monday and he will be opposed by the DBacks Trevor Cahill (6-10, 4.22 ERA).

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In case you missed it, be sure to find out more about Hanley Ramirez’s hamstring injury.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkphTuNyf6A