Dodgers offense silenced by Jake Arrieta

The Dodgers lost Kenta Maeda early and the offense couldn’t get much going against Jake Arrieta in a 6-1 loss to the Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

Maeda left with a hip strain after just five outs, the third time in May the Dodgers bullpen has been called on before the second inning was through. Before he left Maeda gave up the first run on a home run by Nick Williams, then surrendered a double to Jorge Alfaro, who scored after Maeda was out of the game.

Maeda will have an MRI on Wednesday, but will likely be placed on the disabled list.

Jake Arrieta permitted only six singles and two walks in his seven innings, and kept the Dodgers scoreless with six strikeouts and by inducing a pair of double plays. Arrieta lowered his ERA on the season to 2.16 with his third scoreless outing in his last four regular season starts at Dodger Stadium, dating back to 2015.

In the eighth inning with Arrieta out of the game the Dodgers strung together three hits, including a double by the ever-present Max Muncy, for their only run of the game.

Cody Bellinger walked but was also 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts, putting him in a 3-for-42 (.071) slump, with six walks during that span.

Roster move coming?

Because of Maeda’s early exit the Dodgers bullpen had to get 22 outs on Tuesday, with ... different relievers pitching. Scott Alexander and Erik Goeddel have each pitched the last two nights, which puts their availability in question for Wednesday. The Dodgers have used a pitcher on three straight days just once in the regular season since the beginning of last June, and that was Kenley Jansen from May 1-3 this year.

Daniel Hudson threw 47 pitches in two innings on Tuesday, so he could be down for Wednesday, too. The only other Dodgers pitcher to throw more pitches in a relief outing this season was Wilmer Font (twice).

In addition, Josh Fields has pitched in three of the last four days and Tony Cingrani two of the last three. So it seems likely the Dodgers would need an extra reliever on Wednesday, even if only as a precaution for one day, no matter Maeda’s status.

Adam Liberatore, who was optioned on May 19, could return without any string attached. Pat Venditte, JT Chargois or Edward Paredes would require a corresponding DL move since they were optioned in the last 10 days.

Odd series

Pedro Florimon has had a weird first two games of this series. He was the one on Monday night who replaced an injured Rhys Hoskins and inherited a 1-2 count in the ninth inning. Florimon lasted five pitches but eventually got the third strike, one credited to Hoskins. That gave Florimon the rare no-plate-appearance pinch-hitting performance, one usually reserved for a batter replaced after a pitching change.

On Tuesday night Florimon had an eight-pitch at-bat in the first inning that ended with a pop out to shortstop. But during that at-bat he also fouled a ball off his foot. In the bottom of the first Florimon was replaced at third base by Maikel Franco.

Up next

Ross Stripling has 26 strikeouts and no walks in his last three starts, and takes the mound on Wednesday night against old friend Zach Eflin for the Phillies in a 7:10 p.m. PT start

Tuesday particulars

Home run: Nick Williams (5)

WP - Jake Arrieta (5-2): 7 IP, 6 hits, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts

LP - Kenta Maeda (4-4): 1⅔ IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts