Brett Anderson Strikes Out 7, Dodgers Offense Remains Dissapearing Act
The Los Angeles Dodgers opened up their trip to San Francisco by getting shutout 2-0 despite a great pitching effort from Carlos Frias. The offense hoped to provide run support for Wednesday’s starter, Brett Anderson, as the Dodgers faced a familiar foe in Tim Lincecum.
Howie Kendrick kept the Dodgers from going down in order with a two-out single in the first. It could’ve been the second baserunner for the Dodgers, but Buster Posey snagged a line drive from Jimmy Rollins to rob him of a base hit for the second out. Kendrick was stranded as Adrian Gonzalez went down swinging.
The Giants began their inning with Angel Pagan just beating Juan Uribe’s throw to first on a high chopper. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly came out to challenge the call and after review, it was reversed. It was just the third successful challenge for the Dodgers this season. Anderson got out of the inning unscathed despite allowing a single to Posey.
As the second inning began, a light rain fall began to fall. It was a quick one for the Dodgers as Lincecum retired Alex Guerrero, Yasmani Grandal and Andre Ethier in order. After striking out the first two Giants, Anderson had a chopper get just past him. The ball then bounced off second base and rolled into right field, easily allowing Brandon Crawford reached first.
Anderson appeared to end the inning with a pickoff, but was called for a balk. Matt Duffy hit a little tapper out in front of the plate that Anderson got to but his throw pulled Gonzalez off the bag. With two outs and runners on the corners, Anderson struck out the side by catching Lincecum looking.
Joc Pederson ended the Dodgers’ hitting drought with a two-out single up the middle. It wouldn’t amount to anything however, as Rollins softly lined out. The bottom half of the third went much easier for Anderson. He began with his fourth strikeout of the evening and followed up by getting Joe Panik to fly out and Posey to hit a grounder.
The fourth saw the Dodgers fly out for all three of their outs as they again went down without a baserunner. Anderson recorded his fifth strikeout after Hunter Pence went down on three pitches. It was nearly another perfect inning for Anderson, but he issued a two-out walk to keep the Giants alive.
Crawford then extended the inning by slapping a single into left field, but both runners were stranded by Duffy, who went down swinging.
CONTINUE READING: Brett Anderson Does His Best To Keep Game Close
