Dodgers' offense grinds to complete stop in 3-0 loss to Rockies

And then came June, which in truth, looked a lot like most of May. Not the last days of May -- when the Dodgers scored 23 runs in three games -- but pretty much like the rest of the month.

Which is to say, the offense once again went ka-poof! Vanished again into the unseasonably cool night. Now you see it …

The Dodgers collected only four hits in managing to make a winner out of struggling Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez for the first time all season, falling 3-0 Wednesday to end their three-game winning streak before an announced crowd of 36,975.

It was the fifth time this season the Dodgers have been shut out.

Ubaldo came in 0-5 with a 5.86 ERA in nine starts, the great mystery to Colorado’s depressed season. The Rockies had lost seven of their previous eight and 10 of 12.

Wednesday, if he appeared something significantly less than the dominating pitcher of last season (19-8, 2.88 ERA), he was nonetheless extremely efficient.

In throwing a complete game, he did not walk a batter and the four hits he gave up were all singles, and struck out seven. No Dodger made it as far as second base until the ninth inning.

Right-hander Jon Garland pitched well for the Dodgers, though a tad below Jimenez's effort, which has been his story of late.

Garland hasn’t won in his last seven starts, although subtracting one bad outing against his former team, the White Sox, he has pitched well. In those other six starts, he has a 3.13 ERA.

The Rockies got to him Wednesday with solo runs in the second, third and fourth innings.

In the second, Ty Wigginton led off with a sinking liner to center field that Matt Kemp dived awkwardly for and misplayed into a triple. Wigginton scored on Jose Morales’ sacrifice fly.

Seth Smith led off the third with a double, took second on Jonathan Herrera’s sacrifice bunt and scored on Carlos Gonzalez’ sacrifice fly.

The leadoff batter again went to work on Garland (1-5) in the fourth, although Todd Helton made it a quick effort, hitting a solo home run into the right-field stands.

Garland went six innings, yielding the three runs, five hits and a walk.

The way the Dodgers had been scoring the past few games, that would have been more than enough. Only that was in May.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier tosses his batting helmet toward the dugout after striking out during the sixth inning of the Dodgers’ 3-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[16blows]

And then the dudgers woke up (and went back to sleep)...

________

'It's a dudgers life' two-fer Thursday

Through 57 games -

slappy 'e' - in 200 at bats, 5 hrs and 26 rbis; not pointing fingers but those are journeyman numbers for an MVP/Triple Crown fave

gwynn - tony's fast start has found its way back home and is now resting comfortably on the bench at .193; he should be starting anyway

[Wes]

Donnie was up to his Torre infused tricks again last night. He sits down Sands for Jay "Vanderbilt from F Troop" Gibbons because Gibbons has 1 hit against Ubaldo in his career. Gibbons got a hit last night but when was the last time he had an RBI of any consequence? Of course Donnie Osmond (I'm a little bit inexperienced) already cooled off Furcal (1 hit last night) by sitting him the night before so why should we expect any continuity in the lineup. Oh, and the Loney juggernaut has been halted. 0 for 4 last night. This Banjo lineup should be fun to watch as they play real teams like the Reds and Phillies. Oh well, McCourt gets what he pays for except for paying fans. Keep up the Boycott!

[Labeldude]

Hate to say I told you so, but... NO I DON'T - I LOVE IT!! This team stinks.
.
I've finally figured out that Ned's a Darwinist - no way this club has any Intelligent Design behind it.

[Chumpy Kemp]

The three-game winning streak will be a season-high.

[Blueeyedgal]

To be fair, it was Ubaldo Jimenez. He was unlikely to pitch blindfolded forever.

[Darin B]

Everytime this team faces a real pitcher they look like little leaguers because they have noone other than Kemp and Ethier that can really hit consistently and both of those guys are good (not great) hitters. Until they add two significant bats, a relief star and another middle relief guy this team is destined for the bottom of a weak Nat. West league.