Advertisement

The gloom only grows for Dodgers, as Ethier and Barajas hurt in 8-3 loss to White Sox

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

A tornado approaching, bodies falling, losses mounting, the gloom had to feel tangible to the Dodgers on Sunday.

On the day they got shortstop Rafael Furcal off the disabled list, they put infielder Juan Uribe on it with a hip flexor muscle strain.

Then they started the game, fell behind for what them is an insurmountable four runs after two innings, and -- incredibly -- started losing more bodies during their 8-3 loss to the White Sox.

Advertisement


Andre Ethier came out of the game with back, elbow and toe injuries after missing a Juan Pierre drive and crashing into the right-field fence in the fourth inning.

The Revenge of Juan Pierre was hardly done, however. Tagging from third on a Paul Konerko fly to center, the former Dodger slid in just ahead of Matt Kemp’s throw from center.

But catcher Rod Barajas, who was set up on the first base side of the plate, had his right wrist jammed on the tag and he had to leave the game.

Which left the Dodgers with exactly one healthy bench player, Juan Castro.

X-rays on both Ethier’s left big toe and Barajas’ wrist were negative, which was about the only good news that came the Dodgers’ way Sunday. The Dodgers said Ethier has a bruised right elbow and bruised lower right back, and Barajas has a sprained wrist.

The Dodgers’ latest tough loss left them six games under .500 (21-27) for the first time this season. They have lost seven of their last nine.

Right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, who had thrown 14 2/3 scoreless innings entering Sunday’s game, gave up three quick runs in the first. Alexei Ramirez hit a two-run home run and A.J. Pierzynski added a solo shot.

Ramirez doubled in a fourth run in the second inning, and the way the Dodgers’ offense has been going, the game was over. The Dodgers have overcome a four-run deficit only once this season.

To his credit, however, Kuroda (3-6) stuck it out and gave a battered bullpen some time. He went 5 2/3 innings, giving up six runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks.

Advertisement

The Dodgers scored once in the fifth against former Dodger Edwin Jackson (4-5) after James Loney doubled and came home on a Jay Gibbons groundout, and twice in the seventh after a Gibbons double and single by Jerry Sands. Jamey Carroll’s walk and Tony Gwynn Jr.’s groundout with the bases loaded each forced in a run.

But there would be no dramatic comeback, as the Dodgers escaped with Friday. By game’s end, the skies had become dark and lightning flashed across the sky.

The Dodgers were left hoping better times awaited with their next stop in Houston, and their flight could get off in time.

RELATED:

Dodgers-White Sox box score

Jerry Sands hits his first major league home run

Suspect in Dodger Stadium beating of Bryan Stow is in custody

Advertisement

-- Steve Dilbeck

Advertisement