Dodgers Weekly Report: So Close To Going Undefeated

With a six-game winning streak in hand, a 3-0 Sunday lead and Clayton Kershaw on the mound, an undefeated week seemed likely for the Dodgers. However, sometimes baseball throws a curveball, and the Dodgers' winning streak was snapped. For the second consecutive week, the Dodgers won all their games, including an extra-inning win on Saturday, until a one-run loss on Sunday.

The Dodgers have outscored their opponents for six weeks in a row, and are closing in on a .500 record, which seemed unheard of a month ago.

Dodger Batter of the Week: It's no coincidence that during the Dodgers' nearly perfect week they had many candidates for this award. However, opposing pitchers decided this award, as Matt Kemp was walked 12 times this week, including six intentional passes. Kemp hit .316/.594/.474 with one home run during the week. If only Don Mattingly would recognize this too, and stop trying to take the bat out of his best hitter's hands.

Other worthy candidates included Dee Gordon (9-for-16 in four games since returning from the DL), Andre Ethier (.400/.478/.600, including a grand slam), James Loney (1.012 OPS, four doubles and a homer), and A.J. Ellis (4-for-9 with a home run and three walks in three games).

Dodger Pitcher of the Week: Again, Clayton Kershaw wins this award, thanks to two stellar starts. Kershaw had a complete-game win against the Padres on Monday, then struck out 10 with no walks in a no-decision on Sunday. That we were shocked that Kerhsaw didn't win on Sunday tells the story.

Dana Eveland was another candidate by welcoming himself to the team with eight strong innings Thursday in Pittsburgh, while honorable mention goes to Kenley Jansen, who struck out eight of the 15 batters he faced during the week.

Week 23 Record:  6-1
35 runs scored (5.00 per game)
23 runs allowed (3.29 per game)
.683 pythagorean winning percentage

Season Record:  68-71
543 runs scored (3.91 per game)
535 runs allowed (3.85 per game)
.507 pythagorean winning percentage (70-69)

Power/Speed Watch I: Matt Kemp had one home run and stole three bases this week, and through 139 team games, Kemp has 32 home runs and 37 stolen bases. He is on pace for 37 home runs and 43 stolen bases this season.

Power/Speed Watch II: Ted Lilly gave up no home runs and two stolen bases in his one start this week, putting his season totals at 28 home runs and 31 stolen bases allowed. With likely five more starts remaining, Lilly is on pace to allow 33 homers and 37 steals. No Dodger pitcher has ever allowed a 30/30 season, and the last one in the majors was by Gavin Floyd in 2008.

0-for Watch: Eugenio Velez was 0-for-2 during the week, and is 0-for-30 on the season, the worst-ever start to a Dodger career by a position player. Dating back to last season, Velez is on an 0-for-39 streak, six at-bats shy of the all-time futility record for a position player.

Transactions:

• Wednesday: Matt Guerrier was placed on paternity leave, and Josh Lindblom was recalled from Double A Chattanooga to take his place in the bullpen. Guerrier's wife Dejie gave birth to a baby boy, Jack Ira Guerrier, on Thursday.
  
• Thursday: On the first day active rosters expanded, the Dodgers activated shortstop Dee Gordon from the disabled list, recalled Russ Mitchell from Triple A Albuquerque, and purchased the contract of starting pitcher Dana Eveland from Triple A.
• Sunday: The Dodgers recalled Ramon Troncoso from Triple A Albuquerque.

Game Results:

• Monday: Dodgers 4, Padres 1
• Tuesday: Dodgers 8, Padres 5
• Wednesday: Dodgers 4, Padres 2
• Thursday: Dodgers 6, Pirates 4
• Friday: Dodgers 8, Braves 6
• Saturday: Dodgers 2, Braves 1 (10)
• Sunday: Braves 4, Dodgers 3

Upcoming Week: The Dodgers finish up their 11-game road trip with the Livan Hernandez Gauntlet, heading to Washington for four games with the Nationals, followed by a weekend tilt with the soon-to-be third-place Giants. The two games that jump out are facing Stephen Strasburg for the first time on Tuesday, and Clayton Kershaw facing Tim Lincecum in San Francisco Friday night.

Previous Weeks In Review: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | Week 19 | Week 20 | Week 21 | Week 22

Week 23 Stats