Dodgers Vs. Indians Recap: Four-Game Winning Streak Evades Dodgers
Josh Beckett, who hadn’t allowed a run in his last two starts, gave up three quick ones to the Cleveland Indians in the first inning. Beckett retired the first batter he faced then allowed a single, RBI double and two-run home run.
With the Los Angeles Dodgers in an early hole, Yasiel Puig helped spark the offense with a double in the bottom of the first. That was followed by an opposite field two-run homer from Adrian Gonzalez to bring the game to a 3-2 score.
Indians starter Justin Masterson then faced more trouble as he walked two consecutive batters to load the bases after Andre Ethier reached on an error. Masterson got out of the jam by getting Carlos Triunfel swinging.
The Dodges appeared to be in business again in the bottom of the second as Beckett hit a leadoff double and Dee Gordon followed with a double of his own. Beckett hesitated on Gordon’s hit and thus didn’t score on the play. His hesitation came back to haunt the Dodgers as they failed to push a run across.
After walking Lonnie Chisenhall and allowing a single to Jason Kipnis, Beckett gave up an RBI double to Nick Swisher that scored both runners and pushed the Indians’ lead to 5-2. The Dodger starter attempted to once again help his cause as he hit his second leadoff double of the game in the fourth inning.
Gordon reached on a bunt single that allowed Beckett to take third and the Dodgers had runners on the corners with none out. Puig hit an RBI single pulled the Dodgers within two runs and that was end of Masterson’s night.
Kyle Crockett came on in relief and ended the inning with a triple play on a Gonzalez liner to left field. Gordon was thrown out at home and Puig was nailed trying to advance to second. Puig was initially ruled safe, but the Indians challenged the call and won. Don Mattingly then challenged the out at home plate, but it was to no avail.
Beckett retired the Indians in order in the fifth to increase his consecutive outs total to seven. The Dodgers loaded the bases with none out in the bottom of the fifth and after Drew Butera struck out, Hanley Ramirez was called on to pinch-hit for Carlos Triunfel.
Ramirez worked a 3-0 count on Vinnie Pestano only to wind up striking out. Clint Robinson then pinch-hit for Beckett and he went down swinging to end the inning and the Dodgers continued to trail 5-3.
Jamey Wright took the mound in the sixth and walked Jason Kipnis to open the inning. Gomes then hit an RBI double, which was followed by a David Murphy RBI double and the Indians led 7-3 before Wright could get out of the inning.
Gordon hit a leadoff single in the sixth, but was then caught stealing as the Dodgers went away quietly in that inning and again in the seventh. In what was his second inning of work, Paul Maholm gave up three runs to the Indians as they pulled ahead 10-3.
The Dodgers wouldn’t muster a comeback and once again were unable to get their first four-game winning streak of the season.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Leaked Trade Talks Include Dodgers And Carl Crawford
2 Comments