Fit To Be Tied: Dodgers Fail To Score In San Francisco

The Dodgers' nine-game road trip played out pretty much like a worst case scenario, as the Dodgers on Wednesday did something they had never done before. With their 3-0 loss to Tim Lincecum and the Giants on Wednesday, the Dodgers completed a three-game series in San Francisco without scoring a single run.

Not one.

In three games.

The closest they came to a run all series was in the top of the third inning on Wednesday, when pitcher Chad Billingsley doubled, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Another wild pitch gave Billingsley enough daylight to think he could score, but a perfect bounce off the backstop to catcher Hector Sanchez was followed by a throw to a covering Lincecum nailed Billingsley at the plate and kept the Dodgers off the plate.

The Dodgers have not scored in their last 30 innings, and have been shutout for three straight games for the sixth time since 1918.

Oh, and to top it all off the Dodgers lost likely All-Star right fielder Andre Ethier to a left oblique injury in the first inning on Wednesday, just adding to the costly road trip. Manager Don Mattingly said after the game, as shown on Prime Ticket, that Ethier would have an MRI exam on Thursday.

Things aren't all bad for the Dodgers, as even though they finished their road trip with one measly win in nine games they are still tied for first place in the National League West. But even after losing four straight games and eight of their last nine, they might not have hit rock bottom yet.

Matt Kemp is likely out until after the All-Star break, and Ethier could soon join him on the disabled list, depending on the severity of his left oblique injury. Even the most optimistic of Dodger supporters can't possibly look at the scrap heap that is what remains of their lineup and think this team can score many runs.

I'm trying to find the upside here but I just don't see it. Other than simply hoping the Dodgers can keep their heads above water in 11 games until the All-Star break, what more can they do?

Other than acquire Jeff Francoeur, of course.

As Vin Scully noted on the braodcast, "Now the season really begins."

Up Next

Does it matter? The good news is that the Dodgers return home. They open a four-game series with the New York Mets on Thursday night, with Chris Capuano starting for the second straight game trying to snap a four-game losing streak, facing his former team. Tall a Chris Young starts for the Mets.

Today's Particulars

Home Runs: none

WP - Tim Lincecum (3-8): 7 IP, 4 hits, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts

LP - Chad Billingsley (4-7): 6 IP, 9 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, 7 strikeouts

Sv - Sergio Romo (4): 1 1/3 IP, 1 strikeout