Dodgers Week 3 review: Alex Guerrero makes his case

The Dodgers suffered through a rough week, thanks in large part to an absence of offense. The club hit four home runs and scored 11 runs in Saturday's win over the Padres, but scored 10 runs and hit five home runs in the other five games of the week combined.

The result was a 2-4 week, including a sweep by the Giants in San Francisco, but with the poor offense the team was a blown save (Thursday) away from a .500 week.

But there was one player who had no such trouble on offense.

Dodger Batter of the Week: A very easy pick, as Alex Guerrero led the team in hits (tied with Andre Ethier), home runs, RBI, extra-base hits and total bases. Not bad for nine plate appearances.

Guerrero has reached Marlon Anderson and Ronnie Belliard status, which if history is any guide usually comes with increased playing time and the unseating of a starter. Guerrero has played third base so far, and it seems will mix in more time in left field this week. More playing time is coming.

Dodger Pitcher of the Week: Zack Greinke continued his dominance of the National League West on Friday, pitching seven scoreless innings against the Padres with seven strikeouts. Greinke in his career is undefeated against San Diego, 5-0 with a 1.58 ERA in nine career starts.

Game of the Week

Friday: Dodgers 3, Padres 0 Zack Greinke was stellar, leading the Dodgers to a shutout win to snap a three-game losing streak (Photo: Jake Roth | USA Today Sports).

Week 3 Record: 2-4
21 runs scored (3.50 per game)
23 runs allowed (3.83 per game)
.458 pythagorean winning percentage

Season Record: 11-7
84 runs scored (4.67 per game)
69 runs allowed (3.83 per game)
.589 pythagorean winning percentage (11-7)

Miscellany

Rough start for Rollins: Dodgers shortstop Jimmy Rollins hit a three-run home run to beat San Diego on opening day but is off to a slow start this season, his first outside of Philadelphia. Rollins was 2-for-22 with two walks this week, and is hitting just .186/.275/.314 through 18 games on the season.

"It’s hard to compute if you just look at numbers," Rollins told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register on Monday. "I’m getting myself in good counts, just not finishing it off. I know it’s coming. I’m hitting some off the end, some are getting in just a little bit. But the swing path is right. It’s just a click here, a click there.

Get used to it: Yimi Garcia continued his early dominance this season with four strikeouts in three more scoreless outings, and got his first major league save on Friday night. He was the third Dodgers pitcher to get a save this season, and has established himself as the clear go-to guy to pick up the bulk of the remaining save opportunities until Kenley Jansen gets back.

Garcia has struck out 44.4 percent of batters faced, and his 16 strikeouts are tied for third in the majors among relief pitchers.

Transactions

This is going to end up being the most time-consuming portion of each weekly review.

Wednesday: Recalled outfielder Chris Heisey from Triple-A Oklahoma City, optioned relief pitcher Adam Liberatore back to Triple-A.

Wednesday: Acquired left-handed pitcher Xavier Cedeno from the Nationals for cash considerations, designated right-handed pitcher Daniel Corcino for assignment.

Thursday: Recalled pitcher Mike Bolsinger from Triple-A Oklahoma City, optioned Heisey back to Triple-A.

Friday: Corcino cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Friday: Selected the contract of Sergio Santos from Triple-A Oklahoma City, optioned Bolsinger back to Triple-A, designated Cedeno for assignment.

Sunday: Placed outfielder Yasiel Puig (left-hamstring strain) and Joel Peralta (neck strain) on the 15-day disabled list, recalled Carlos Frias from Triple-A Oklahoma City, selected the contract of Scott Baker from Oklahoma City, transferred Brandon League from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL.

Game Results

• Tuesday: Giants 6, Dodgers 2
• Wednesday: Giants 3, Dodgers 2
  
• Thursday: Giants 3, Dodgers 2 (10)
  
• Friday: Dodgers 3, Padres 0
• Saturday: Dodgers 11, Padres 8
• Sunday: Padres 3, Dodgers 1

Upcoming Week

The Dodgers run the Brandon Medders gauntlet, returning home to host the Giants and Diamondbacks, with a Thursday off day mixed in in between.

Previous weeks in review

Week 1 | Week 2

Week 3 Stats