Dodgers Unable to Hit With Runners On, Drop Series to Padres
The inability to hit with runners on base was the story Sunday afternoon as the Dodgers fell to the Padres, 3-0. On the afternoon, the Dodgers were 0-9 with runners in scoring position. Even more concerning, they left 13 runners on base.
0 for 9 with RISP, four of those on Ks. 13 LOB. This trip cannot end soon enough for #Dodgers
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) May 6, 2018
The Hitting
Oh, where do we begin. L.A. had multiple opportunities to capitalize on the day. In the second inning, two singles would put two on. Sadly, Ross Stripling was due up, and couldn’t deliver, grounding into a force out. Just an inning later, back-to-back singles would put two more on for Austin Barnes. Barnes, who has struggled all season, lined out to left field. Once again in the fourth inning, the Dodgers were able to get two on base. Stripling and Taylor would both ground out, once again helping the Padres escape crucial jams.
Austin Barnes got a chance to redeem himself in the seventh. He stepped up to the plate as the go-ahead run, and promptly struck-out looking to end the frame. After the Padres put one on the board in the bottom half of the seventh, the Dodgers found themselves in a 3-0 hole. Just like we had seen all afternoon, they quickly put two on base, with only one out.
Breyvic Valera, who has one of the better eyes at the plate, struck out on three pitches. Chris Taylor followed with a strikeout of his own.
On the day, L.A. had eight hits, but couldn’t bring one of them in.
The Pitching
Getting the start for the injured Rich Hill was Ross Stripling. On the day, Stripling looked good. He went four innings, striking out five. After four, Roberts decided to turn to the bullpen. Tony Cingrani came in, and was welcomed with a two-run home run at the hands of Eric Hosmer. This is the third time in his last four appearances Cingrani has allowed a home run. Pedro Baez came in later, after having some time off. He struck out two, but allowed yet another run, though it was at the hands of Yimi Garcia.
Analysis
Hard to believe just two days ago the Dodgers no-hit the Padres. Now riding a two-game losing streak, L.A. finally gets to return home after an 11-game, 10-day, 3-city, 2-country road trip. With an off day tomorrow, the D’Backs will be in town for a two-game series starting Tuesday, then the Reds will come in for a four-game series starting Thursday. A lot is going on for this team right now. It seems like everyone is getting injured, and we’re having to introduce ourselves to a new player every day. Hopefully this home stand will help the Dodgers get back on track.
Dodgers News: Ross Stripling, Not Rich Hill To Start Sunday In Mexico
As good as they were last year..(past) they are just as bad this year.. big build up.. bigger let down….but finally we see the real Dave Roberts
“Dodgers Unable to Hit With Runners On” – what else is new this year?
Oh Yeah – same guys on the DL again.
Unlike most of these guys, Turner and Kershaw will be back a.s.a.p.and do their job and earn their salary.
There is no more important stat in baseball than what someone does with runners in scoring position. None. You can hit for a high average and pound a lot of single home runs, but what do you do when it matters most, matters most.
Totally agree with you, David. It is so frustrating! I think it was Saturday’s game, that CT3 got on base several times (maybe 3?), anyway, no matter who the leadoff hitter is, especially with 0 or 1 out, to witness players hitting into one double play after another, or trying to hit a HR rather than even a productive long fly out or bunt, is crazy-making.