Dodgers News: Don Mattingly Looking For More Energy, Offensive Success

After getting no-hit by Mike Fiers in Friday’s series opener against the Houston Astros, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bats were relatively quiet on Saturday, particularly through the first three innings.

It wasn’t until Jimmy Rollins’ leadoff single in the fourth inning that Scott Kazmir lost his perfect game. In fitting fashion when considering the Dodgers’ ongoing offensive struggles, Rollins was thrown out attempting to stretch the single to a double.

The Dodgers finished the game with seven hits, but only had one run to show for it. Meanwhile the Astros were more efficient, scoring three runs on three hits. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has often preached patience when discussing his club’s struggles or downfalls.

After the Dodgers’ fourth consecutive loss, Mattingly touched on the lifeless offense and getting back on track, via ESPN’s Mark Saxon:

It feels like we’re not swinging the bats great right now. The energy’s really not what we would like,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. Asked to elaborate on his comment that the offense lacks energy, Mattingly said it’s a matter of results shaping perception. “The only way, basically, to get out of it is to put some runs on the board and guys getting hits all over the place. That’s always fun,” he said. “When you’re not getting hits, it kind of rolls over from one game to the next.”

Until Rollins’ single in the fourth inning on Saturday, the Dodgers had been held hitless over the last 13 innings. They’ve managed just seven runs during the losing streak and are 0-4 on their eight-game road trip heading into play Sunday.

Yasiel Puig returned to the lineup after missing two games with a mild right hamstring strain and managed to extend his hitting streak to six games, but needed some luck. His sinking line drive to shortstop was initially ruled an error on Carlos Correa and later overturned, with Puig finishing the night 1-for-4.

On Sunday the Dodgers get a look at rookie Lane McCullers, who only went one-third of an inning, allowing six runs on seven hits in his previous start.