Dodgers offense blanked by Padres

The Dodgers road trip from hell came to its inevitable conclusion on Sunday, with the Dodgers dropping two of three games to the lowly Padres, the latest a 3-0 defeat in Monterrey, Mexico.

In 11 games fit into 10 days and three cities in two countries, the Dodgers lost their shortstop for the season, their best two starting pitchers so far this year, and another starting outfielder to the disabled list. On the field they won none of the three series and dropped seven of their 11 contests.

There was the combined no-hitter too, but that seems so long ago already, just two days — and two more losses — later.

The offense couldn’t manage a single run on Sunday in six innings against Padres left-hander Eric Lauer, making just his third major league start. It wasn’t for lack of opportunities, as the Dodgers tallied seven hits and a walk against Lauer, but just couldn’t bring any of them home, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position against him.

The Dodgers were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position on the day. They couldn’t even capitalize on two more hits from Matt Kemp, including a double. He is 11-for-22 with four extra-base hits in six games against San Diego this season.

Los Angeles went scoreless in the final 12 innings of their series in Monterrey.

On the pitching side the Dodgers turned to one of their only trusted options in the bullpen to start on Sunday, and Ross Stripling continued to deliver in just about any role that’s asked of him. He pitched four scoreless innings on Sunday with five strikeouts, including escaping a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the second.

On the season Stripling has a 1.93 ERA, a 3.38 FIP and 24 strikeouts in 23⅓ innings.

Tony Cingrani is definitely one of the trusted few in relief, and before the road trip was dominant, striking out 17 of his 34 batters faced, allowing three total runs in 9⅓ innings. He allowed a two-run home run to Eric Hosmer in the fifth to break a scoreless tie, and on this trip allowed six runs in 3 innings and struck out five of 24 batters faced, which included a “dead arm” period in San Francisco.

Up next

It is unlikely the Dodgers will place anyone on the disabled list on Monday because that’s an off day. But starting Tuesday they start a homestand with the Diamondbacks in town. Rich Hill is expected to start the series opener at Dodger Stadium, facing Zack Godley for Arizona.

Sunday particulars

Home run: Eric Hosmer (5)

WP - Eric Lauer (1-1): 6 IP, 7 hits, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts

LP - Tony Cingrani (0-2): 1 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 1 strikeout

Sv - Brad Hand (9): 1 IP, 3 strikeouts