Dodger "O" Goes "0 for the Homestand"

I think I’m coming to realize that a lineup with a significant combination of the names like Sellers, Punto, Cruz, Schumacher, Mark Ellis, Hairston, and Uribe, doesn’t strike fear into the opposition.  Is it any wonder this team entered tonight’s game ranked 14th in the league in runs scored?  Throw in that Kemp is hitting under .185 and Ethier isn’t setting the world on fire, and this team is dead.

Skip Schumacher grounds out with the bases loaded in the 5th inning during Dodgers 7-2 loss to the Padres (photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Let me add this observation though.  I believe that not only did Carlos Quentin break the collarbone of Zack Greinke.  The Dodgers spirit seemed to break at that time too.  At the time of the injury I opined that there might be a silver lining in the injury as it would light a fire in this team.  Instead it has had an opposite effect.

I hate to say this, because I hate the Giants with a passion that is beyond measure, but last year when they lost their left fielder who was leading in the batting race at the time, (Melky Cabrera to a drug suspension), they rallied and won the pennant and eventually the World Series.  They didn’t sulk in their misfortune.  They manned up and simply won the thing.  And that’s what good teams do when they face adversity, they overcome it. 

Tonight, Clayton Kershaw had his worst start in about a year, and on a day when we all figured that the ship would be righted by the staff ace, the Dodgers leave on an East Coast swing on a 4 game losing streak and under .500 for the first time since the third game of the season.  Kershaw gave up three homers for what I believe was the first time in his career.

Matt Kemp got the night off tonight until the 7th inning, where he struck out as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded. (photo by Reed Saxon/AP)

Still, with Kershaw stinking up the joint, the Dodgers were still in this game.  Down 4-1, they loaded the bases in the 5th and a clutch two-out hit would have put them right back in this thing.  Again in the 7th, bases juiced again, this time with one out, and they drew blanks.  There is no clutch hitting with this team.  They are pressing and they are defeated before they even step into the batter’s box.  When the Dodgers loaded the bases again in the 9th with one out and Kemp lifted a sac fly to bring the Dodgers within 5 runs, the Bronx cheer from the remaining faithful was heard.

I don’t want to spread panic, but what good is there to report?  Our ace is floundering.  The offense is pathetic.  The clutch hitting is non-existent.  The defense is suspect.  The bullpen is getting blasted.  Heck, even when a starter tossed 8 plus innings of shutout ball as Beckett did in his last start, he got the loss because Dodger bats were silenced.

The guys haven’t got anything going this season.  The offense has not yet shown up.  The Mark McGwire magic hasn’t spread to the Dodger offense with the exception of Carl Crawford.  I have been spreading the word that it’s early and panic shouldn’t set in but holy moly!  We just got swept by the Padres and none of the games were even close.  Padre announcer Mark Grant was actually talking smack tonight, and he had every right to do so.

Was there any good news tonight?  Adrian Gonzalez was 3 for 3.  Oh and the Lakers made the playoffs, so I guess Magic is happy.