Dodgers can't get off the mat, lose sixth straight

Everything unraveled for the Dodgers after Ross Stripling struck out the first two hitters he faced in the top of the fifth inning. Stripling lost control of the strike zone and the next four hitters as the Padres scored three times, beating the Dodgers by the score of 5-2.

With the score tied at two apiece, Stripling walked Wil Myers and Matt Kemp to bring Melvin Upton Jr. to the plate. The Padre left-fielder smacked a double -- the Padres' fourth double in the game -- to bring Myers and Kemp around to score. Four pitches later, Alexei Ramirez took a 3-0 pitch to left field for an RBI-single.

The loss for the Dodgers means a sixth consecutive defeat for the first time since May 1-10, 2013 when they lost eight straight. The 2016 Dodgers are hoping the losing streak doesn't go that far, but they're going to have to hit eventually.

The Dodgers are 2-for-36 (.056) with runners in scoring position during the six-game slide, including 0-for-3 on Saturday night. Only 11 runs have come across for the Dodgers on this homestand.

Stripling was in control of the game until the Padres strung three doubles together in a row to score a pair in the third. Even after that it looked like the right-hander was throwing well as he retired the next seven batters, four by strikeout. That is, until he walked Myers and the wheels came off the wagon.

"It's really frustrating," said Stripling. "One of the things I wanted to do was be efficient and even though I gave up the two runs in the third, I was still keeping my team in it."

"I was keeping my pitch count down, but then I walked two guys and Upton has a good at-bat, all the sudden I'm at 80 pitches. It's frustrating. Tonight could've been a lot different if I had thrown some more competitive pitches."

The 26-year old Stripling would be charged with all five runs in four and two-thirds innings of work, allowing seven hits and two walks while striking out six.

The only offense for the home team, like last night, came by way of the home run. Chase Utley followed a Stripling leadoff walk in the third inning with a two-run homer to right field.

Up Next

Clayton Kershaw will take his shot at ending the losing streak when he faces the Padres at 1:10 p.m. PT, facing Drew Pomeranz.

Saturday Particulars

Home Runs: Chase Utley (1)

WP: - Colin Rea (2-1): 6 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts

LP: - Ross Stripling (0-2): 4.2 IP, 7 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, 6 strikouts

S: - Fernando Rodney (4), 1 IP, 1 walk