A close game broke open thanks to a series of misplays in the sixth inning, leading to a 4-0 Dodger loss and a Padres' sweep. Cory Luebke became the fourth pitcher to get his first major league win against the Dodgers this season, joining Mike Leake, Luis Atilano, and Felix Doubront.
The Dodgers are playing so badly that they couldn't even properly execute a major league debut. Down 4-0 in the eighth inning, John Lindsey came to bat with two runners on base and one out to face the left-handed Joe Thatcher. After 16 years in the minors, this was Lindsey's major league debut. However, the Padres brought in the righty, Luke Gregerson, and just like that Lindsey was pulled back, in favor of Andre Ethier.
From a baseball standpoint, going with Ethier was the right call, but at this point does it really matter? This team is dead as a doormat right now, and Lindsey's smiling face is the best thing going. Plus, it's not like Ethier has been hitting lately anyway. Vin Scully, on the Prime Ticket broadcast, described Lindsey's reaction like this:
He must have the sweetest nature, he must be the most determined, to spend a lifetime in the minor leagues, to come that close and then come out laughing.
It's hard to get too worked up over this since Lindsey himself didn't, but it would have been nice to see him get to bat in his debut, even with a tough matchup. Lindsey is now forever in the record books as having participated in a major league game, but hopefully in Houston, with his family in attendance, he will get to do so for real.
Russell Mitchell also made his major league debut tonight, starting at first base. Mitchell struck out and flew out in his two at-bats. Trent Oeltjen made his Dodger debut, flying out as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.
The Dodgers have now lost five straight games and have scored three runs in their last 41 innings.
The Dodgers head to Houston to start a four-game series tomorrow, with Ted Lilly facing Bud Norris.
WP - Cory Luebke (1-1): 6 IP, 2 hits, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts
LP - Chad Billingsley (11-9): 5 1/3 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs, 5 walks, 6 strikeouts