Dodgers drop fifth consecutive game; Rod Barajas leaves game with sprained ankle

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The Dodgers lost again.

And in other news, the Pacific is wet.

The losing continued Saturday, which looked remarkably like the past five days, which further pulled them into their sinkhole of a season.

The lifeless Dodgers were pushed around for the second consecutive night by the worst team in baseball, the Houston Astros mauling them for a 7-0 victory before a crowd that was announced at 37,124 but might have been half that.

It marked their fifth consecutive loss, matching their season high (low?) and dropped them to 31-41 on the season. It’s the first time they’ve been 10 games under .500 this year.

Making matters worse, catcher Rod Barajas left the game in the fifth inning with a sprained right ankle he injured chasing a wild pitch. Barajas is hitting just .220 but is second on the team with eight home runs. And backup catcher Dioner Navarro is hitting .158.

The Astros had lost 11 of their last 13 before venturing into that haven for visiting teams, Dodger Stadium, the previous night. The Dodgers are 15-21 at home this season.

Rookie Rubby De La Rosa matched Houston’s Wandy Rodriguez through four scoreless innings.

But then came a five-run fifth, and that was it for De La Rosa (3-1). The Astros scored all five runs in the inning with two outs.

That chased De La Rosa, who gave up five runs in 4 2/3 innings on six hits and three walks. He struck out six.

At least in Rodriguez they faced a legitimate starting pitcher. Rodriguez won his fourth consecutive decision. He went six fairly easy innings, shutting the Dodgers out on seven hits and one walk. He struck out six.

The Dodgers also lost five consecutive games April 12-16. If Barajas goes on the disabled list, the Dodgers are expected to call up A.J. Ellis from triple-A Albuquerque.

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-- Steve Dilbeck