Dodgers lose to Cardinals to start 4 game series- June 2015
The Dodgers took on their nemesis St Louis Cardinals to start a 4 game series. The Cards knocked them out of the playoffs last year and took 2 of 3 last weekend. They have the best record in baseball despite losing top starting pitcher Adam Wainwright for the season as he tore his Achilles tendon while batting about a month ago. They keep battling on and their lineup is solid. They started their now ace Michael Wacha who came in 7-1 with a 2.27 ERA with his only loss last weekend vs. Los Angeles. Carlos Frias started for the home team and is coming off a good game after getting roughed up by the Padres for 10 runs the start before. The Cards got to Frias in the third scoring 2 runs on RBI singles by Peralta and Reynolds (their starting first baseman as they just learned that Matt Adams may be done for the season. They were not finished as Holiday hit a sac fly to score Kolten Wong after a Matt Carpenter double. Jason Heyward hit a 2 run line drive single to make it 5-0.
The Dodgers had one threat in the bottom of the 6th loading the bases and Guerrero flied out deep to center for a sac fly to make sure they were not shut out. Guerrero looked a bit shaky playing left field and misplayed a ball badly to set up runners in scoring position. Then Wong singled in two more to chase Frias and make it 7-1. With the big lead, St Louis manager Mike Matheny pulled Wacha after 107 pitches for hard throwing lefty Kevin Siegrist who got through the 8th unscathed. Carlos Villanueva finished the 9th and the final was 7-1.
The Dodgers were no match for Wacha as they try to get healthy. Howie Kendrick is the latest hurting his knee on Wednesday but he is day to day. They are still without Carl Crawford, Van Slyke and Yasiel Puig. Good news is that Puig has started a rehab assignment and should be back by the end of next week. The bench and newcomers have filled in fantastic with Andre Ethier regaining his form of a few years ago. Alex Guerrero has been a huge spark starting sparingly but showing some great power with 10 HRs including a dramatic one earlier this week with 2 outs in the 9th to give them the lead and eventual win. Joc Pederson has been on a tear with home runs in 5 straight games and 17 for the season. The pitching has been solid despite all the injuries with Greinke dominating and Kershaw starting to get back on track. More at www.dodgers.com