Recap: Dodgers Lose Their Cool As Offense Goes Cold At Busch Stadium
Starting the day with a 28-18 record, the Los Angeles Dodgers took on the streaking St. Louis Cardinals, who have been the Dodgers’ postseason nemesis the last two years. The Dodgers stepped into dangerous territory at Busch Stadium as the Cardinals have an 18-5 record at home while Los Angeles has won just seven of their 18 road games this season.
Mike Bolsinger, who has been impressive in 2015 with a 0.71 ERA and a 3-0 record made his fifth start of the year to counter the Cardinals John Lackey, who has pitched well at home. The veteran pitcher carries a 1.63 ERA and a 2-1 record at Busch Stadium thus far.
After two quick outs, Howie Kendrick drew a full count and poked a single down the first base line. However, Adrian Gonzalez lined out to third baseman Matt Carpenter for the third out in the first inning. Kolten Wong hit a leadoff double and Carpenter singled to put runners on the corners with no outs.
Jhonny Peralta drew a walk to load the bases, however Bolsinger limited the damage by getting
Randal Grichuk to ground into a double play, trading a run for two outs. Another ground out by Mark Reynods ended the inning with the Cardinals leading, 1-0.
Justin Turner delivered the Dodgers’ first hit of the game with a leadoff single in the second inning. Nothing would come of it as Lackey retired the next three batters faced, including striking out Alex Guerrero and A.J. Ellis.
The Cardinals had their leadoff batter reach for a second straight inning as Yadier Molina singled to right field. Molina eventually moved to second base on Jason Heyward’s ground out, but that’s the furthest he would get.
Joc Pederson worked a full count drew a one-out walk in the third on a pitch that appeared to be strike three. The called ball was much to Lackey’s dismay and he began yelling toward the home plate umpire. Lackey remained composed enough to get Jimmy Rollins and Kendrick to ground out, keeping the Cardinals in the lead.
Bolsinger finally kept the Cardinals’ leadoff man off base in the bottom of the third as he retired the first two batters faced. However, the Cardinals mounted a two-out rally behind doubles from Peralta and Grichuk, extending their lead to 2-0.
The Dodgers could not strike back in the top of the fourth as it was three up, three down. Attempting to replicate Lackey’s fourth inning, Bolsinger began the inning by inducing a ground ball, but hit a bump when Heyward doubled to left field. However, two quick outs ended the inning for the Dodger right-hander.
CONTINUE READING: Multiple Ejections As Dodgers Get Runners On But Can’t Score
