Editorials

Dodgers Offense Remains Silent, Suffer Series Sweep To Giants

USATSI_8575304_154224518_lowres

PAGES: 1 | 2



Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers once again went up against Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants on Thursday at AT&T Park.

The Dodgers squandered a golden opportunity to reignite their suddenly slumping offense right off the bat, as Kiké Hernandez hit a one-out double followed by a two-out walk by Adrian Gonzalez. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, Justin Turner grounded into a force out at second and Bumgarner

Nori Aoki’s leadoff single to left field off Kershaw was negated after Matt Duffy hit into a force out and Angel Pagan into a double play to get Kershaw out of the first inning unscathed.

The Dodgers again had a man on board in the second inning after Bumgarner issued a walk to Scott Van Slyke. But again, Van Slyke would stay stranded after a strikeout by Alex Guerrero, a line out by A.J. Ellis and a groundout out by Kershaw.

Kershaw made quick work of the Giants in the bottom of the second, retiring Buster Posey, striking out Hunter Pence on three pitches and inducing a groundout by Joaquin Arias.

By the third inning the Dodgers were making it a habit to leave runners on base. Joc Pederson hit a leadoff bloop single that turned into a double, then moved to third on a groundout by Hernandez. However, a groundout and a flyout by Kendrick and Gonzalez respectively again kept the Dodgers off the scoreboard.

Kershaw was cruising through the third inning after retiring Brandon Belt and Casey McGeehee. Then, on the first pitch to Bumgarner, the Giants starting pitcher hit a solo home run to left to put the Giants ahead, 1-0.

Van Slyke singled, then Ellis was fortunate to get on base with two outs after an infield error between Arias and Duffy to put two on board for the Dodgers. Then came Kershaw to the plate, poised for revenge, but unable to help his cause, as the Dodgers’ scoreless streak increased to 26.

After cruising through the heart of the Giants’ order the first time around, Kershaw got into trouble in the bottom of the fourth. Pagan led off with a double to left, followed by a single by Pence to score Pagan to make it 2-0. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly asked for a review, but replay showed that Ellis did indeed miss the tag. Kershaw then hit Belt with a pitch, but struck out McGeehee to get out of the inning.

CONTINUE READING: Clayton Kershaw is done in by offense and bullpen

1 2Next page

Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button