The Dodgers couldn't muster any offense against Brandon McCarthy, and the Oakland A's made three first-inning runs hold up in a 3-0 win over the Dodgers in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night in Oakland.

Andre Ethier singled and advanced to second on a ground out in the fourth inning, earning the honor of the only Dodger to reach second base in the first eight innings. McCarthy allowed just two hits and a walk in his seven scoreless innings, striking out five.

Conversely, Aaron Harang needed 40 pitches to get through the first inning. The good news is that Harang struck out three batters in the inning. But the bad news is that the other five Oakland batters in the inning reached base, with three singles and two walks, leading to three runs.

Those were the only runs allowed by Harang on the night, but his stay in the game was a short one as he threw 105 pitches to get just 11 outs. Harang walked two in each inning, giving him a career-worst eight on the night. Harang's previous career high in walks was seven, set at Wrigley Field while with the Cincinnati Reds on July 8, 2008.

The last Dodger to walk at least eight while facing 22 or fewer batters was Les Webber, who walked nine of the 21 batters he faced on May 26, 1943.

Harang also struck out six, meaning just eight of the 22 batters he faced put the ball in play on Tuesday. It was the 21st time since 1918 that a Dodger pitcher had at least six strikeouts with more walks than strikeouts. The last was Edwin Jackson on September 27, 2003.

The Dodgers were probably lucky the game wasn't more lopsided, as the A's left 12 runners on base, including eight against Harang.

Down 3-0 in the eighth inning, Shawn Tolleson pitched in the closest game of his brief career, pitching a scoreless eighth inning with one strikeout, and a pick-off of Cliff Pennington at first base.

The Dodgers put two runners on base and brought the tying run to the plate with one out in the ninth, but closer Ryan Cook got out of the jam for his fourth save of the season.

Up Next

Nathan Eovaldi looks to shake off the one-run loss blues on Wednesday night, making his fifth start for the Dodgers. Tim Milone starts the middle game of the series for the A's.

Tonight's Particulars

Home Runs: none

WP - Brandon McCarthy (6-3): 7 IP, 2 hits, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts

LP - Aaron Harang (5-4): 3 2/3 IP, 3 hits, 3 runs, 8 walks, 6 strikeouts

Sv - Ryan Cook (4): 1 IP, 1 walk, 1 strikeout