Dodgers Week 8 review: What a waste

After tiptoeing though the minefield of mediocrity for several weeks, the Dodgers now appear to be setting up camp in baseball purgatory. They did manage to win three of six games against the Marlins and Diamondbacks, but with a couple double-digit losses and two emergency pitching appearances in four days from backup catcher Drew Butera made this truly one of the more embarrassing .500 weeks in recent memory.

Dodger Batter of the Week: The Dodgers' most consistent hitter in May continued his hot streak, even though Yasiel Puig saw his 16-game hitting streak snapped on Sunday in Arizona. Puig hit three home runs and three doubles, knocking in 10. Honorable mention goes to Carl Crawford, who stayed hot with inconsistent playing time, hitting .400 (6-for-15) with a pair of home runs.

Crawford has a four-game hitting streak and has at least one hit in each of his last 10 starts.

Dodger Pitcher of the Week: On Friday in Arizona, Zack Greinke had one of the best starts by a Dodger this season, with eight scoreless innings. He beats out Josh Beckett, who pitched into the seventh inning and allowed only one unearned run on Tuesday against Miami, snapping a 14-start winless streak.

Game of the Week

Friday: Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 0 Zack Greinke had two hits and pitched eight scoreless innings to beat Arizona. (Photo: Christian Petersen | Getty Images).

Week 8 Record: 3-3
33 runs scored (5.50 per game)
42 runs allowed (7.00 per game)
.391 pythagorean winning percentage

2014 Record: 23-22
192 runs scored (4.27 per game)
195 runs allowed (4.33 per game)
.493 pythagorean winning percentage (22-23)

Miscellany

Brandon League pitched five scoreless innings, allowing three baserunners and striking out three. He hasn't allowed an earned run since April 15, a span of 20⅓ innings.

Dodgers left fielders were 9-for-26 (.346) with three home runs during the week and collectively have an eight-game hitting streak.

The Dodgers bullpen allowed 16 runs during the week and has allowed 20 runs in the last seven games. The bullpen allowed 18 total runs in 23 games last July, and 18 more runs in 29 games last August.

Puig with three home runs during the week has 28 career home runs in 143 games. The only Dodgers with more home runs in their first 162 career games were Frank Howard and Mike Piazza, each with 31.

Matt Kemp played in his 1,000th career game on Monday. Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider caught up with him about the milestone.

Both Kenley Jansen and J.P. Howell began last week tied for second in the majors in appearances, but were afforded a rare rest opportunity with four straight blowouts. Neither one has pitched since last Monday.

Transactions

Wednesday: After missing 33 games after surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, A.J. Ellis was activated from the disabled list, with catcher Miguel Olivo optioned back to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Game Results

• Monday: Dodgers 6, Marlins 5
• Tuesday: Dodgers 7, Marlins 1
• Wednesday: Marlins 13, Dodgers 3
• Friday: Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 0
• Saturday: Diamondbacks 18, Dodgers 7
• Sunday: Diamondbacks 5, Dodgers 3

Upcoming Week

The Dodgers run the Gregg Jefferies gauntlet, finishing up their road trip with three games in New York and three games in Philadelphia.

Previous weeks: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7

Week 8 Stats