Dodgers shut out for first time since 2019
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LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers are eager to get Max Muncy, Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager back in the lineup, and they could be getting closer to that as all three players are progressing nicely from their respective injuries.
Even without the three All-Stars, the Dodgers have fared well over the last 10 days, entering Wednesday’s game having won seven of their last eight games. But facing their biggest challenge in right-hander Zack Wheeler, the Dodgers missed their power trio in the 2-0 loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers were shut out for the first time since Sept. 14, 2019, against the Mets, a span of 139 games.
“He’s got top-notch, ace stuff,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Wheeler. “It’s 97-99 mph, just enough of a slider to keep you off the fastball. He’s a tough one.”
L.A. recorded five hits off Wheeler, with Gavin Lux delivering two. He continued to be a bright spot for the Dodgers’ offense, recording seven hits in his last five games. But outside of Lux, the Dodgers couldn’t figure out Wheeler, who struck out six over six scoreless innings. After Wheeler, left-hander José Alvarado showed off his 101 mph sinkers, tossing two scoreless innings in relief.
The best chance the Dodgers had to score runs on Wednesday came in the first inning, but Wheeler got Zach McKinstry to strike out swinging with the bases loaded to end the threat. L.A. went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.
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That lack of offense spoiled yet another quality start from Clayton Kershaw, who allowed two runs and struck out nine over six innings. Kershaw allowed a solo homer to Rhys Hoskins in the first inning and J.T. Realmuto added a two-out RBI double in the third.
But after the two early runs, Kershaw was able to lock it in, keeping the Dodgers in the game. He stranded the bases loaded in the fifth and struck out three consecutive batters in the sixth to end his outing.
“They made me work,” Kershaw said. “The at-bat quality for those guys was really good, so you have to give them a lot of credit tonight, they made me work. Overall, I thought I had decent stuff -- my curveball wasn’t good, but I thought my fastball and slider were OK tonight. They got my pitch count up.”
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Kershaw threw 110 pitches on Wednesday, the most he’s thrown in a game since he made 110 pitches on Aug. 13, 2018, against the Giants. He had gone 60 consecutive starts without hitting the 110-pitch mark.
As they look to get healthy on the offensive side, the Dodgers will continue to ask a lot from the starting pitching staff. Julio Urías threw a season-high 96 pitches on Tuesday and Trevor Bauer tossed 117 pitches in his last start. The rotation has responded thus far, but games like Wednesday will happen every now and then -- at least, until the Dodgers get closer to full strength.
“We haven’t had a lot of our guys all year and it’s the first time. I guess the odds, regardless of who you’re running out there, it’s bound to happen,” Roberts said. “Zack threw a heck of a ballgame. … It’s bound to happen, but our guys are competing every night.”