The Dodgers managed just one run against Bronson Arroyo and the Cincinnati bullpen, losing to the Reds 2-1, but the bigger loss was that of Rafael Furcal. The Dodgers' shortstop, who already missed 37 games with a broken left thumb this season, injured his left side on a throw to third base in the second inning and was removed from the game one half-inning later. The Dodgers said Furcal is day-to-day, though not much else is known at this time.
Hiroki Kuroda was a ground ball machine tonight, inducing 10 groundouts and none via air. Unfortunately, Kuroda was also a walk machine, issuing four free passes, one intentionally. It was only the 13th time in 94 career starts that Kuroda has had three unintentional walks. All those baserunners failed to score in the first four innings against Kuroda, but Scott Rolen hit a two-run single with the bases loaded in the fifth inning, giving the Reds a 2-1 lead. Kuroda, who threw 104 pitches through five innings, was able to battle back for a quick 10-pitch sixth inning to secure the club's fifth straight quality start.
Key Moment (Bad)
In the top of the fourth inning, the Dodgers loaded the bases with nobody out. James Loney lofted a fly ball to left field, plenty deep enough to score a run, but Matt Kemp strayed too far off second base in an ill-fated attempt to tag up on the play, and was erased in a rather quick run down. The Dodgers did not score again.
Key Moment (Good)
Drew Stubbs got a leadoff single off Mike MacDougal in the bottom of the seventh, and was sacrificed to second base. Left-hander Scott Elbert was brought in to face lefties Joey Votto and Jay Bruce with the Reds leading 2-1. Elbert struck out Votto on three pitches, then used only two pitches to retire Bruce on a pop out to shortstop to end the threat. In 5 1/3 innings this season, Elbert has yet to give up a run, and he has six strikeouts against just six baserunners allowed.
Notes
- Kemp and Andre Ethier each had two hits and a walk, with a double by Ethier included
- The Dodgers missed another scoring opportunity in the sixth inning, when Kemp hit an infield single to just beyond third base with one out. Rolen tried to make a play on Ethier at second base but threw the ball into right field. The problem is, Ethier didn't see the ball go into the outfield and didn't advance to third. Jay Gibbons flew out for the next out, a play that would have scored Ethier from third base.
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Aaron Miles last walked on April 27, against Clay Hensley of Florida. Since then, Miles has gone 98 plate appearances without a free pass.
- Clayton Kershaw faces off with Johnny Cueto tomorrow afternoon on Fox in the second game of the series.
WP - Bronson Arroyo (4-5): 6 IP, 6 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
LP - Hiroki Kuroda (5-6): 6 IP, 6 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts
Sv - Francisco Cordero (11): 1 IP, 1 strikeout