Will The Dodgers Ever Win Again?

Dodgers Lineup vs. Marlins

Kevin Slowey-1-2 vs. Hyun-jin Ryu-3-2

Of course they will, but at this point, it seems like they may never win again. The Dodgers lost their eighth consecutive game last night, by losing the first game of the three game series with the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium, by a score of 5-4. The Dodgers have not lost eight in a row since 2008. Last night’s match, saw a battle of rookies, right handers Jose Fernandez, and Matt Magill did battle, as the two cellar dwellers faced off against each other for bragging rights, and the right to stay further out of the cellar.

Can Ryu snap the Dodger losing streak?-Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers struck first off a three-run home run by Adrian Gonzalez in the bottom of the first inning. Carl Crawford opened the game with a single, and Nick Punto walked, which set-up the Gonzo homer. Of course after that, the Dodgers didn’t score, nor do anything offensively for the rest of the game, In typical fashion the Dodger pitching staff was unable to hold onto a lead.

In the top of the fourth, after walks to Placido Polanco, and Marcel Ozuna, rookie Derek Dietrich slammed a three-run home run over the right field wall, to tie the game at 3-3. That was the young Dietrich’s first major league home run. Magill pitched decent, going five frames, and allowing three runs, on only three hits, walking four and whiffing two Fish. Fernandez threw six frames, allowed three runs on eight hits, and whiffed seven Dodgers.

The Dodgers bullpen coughed up the lead in the top of the seventh. Ronald Belisario allowed a single to Jeff Brantley, and a double off the top of the wall from pinch-hitter Chris Coughlin. The play had to be reviewed, but was correctly ruled a double. Former Dodger Juan Pierre, of course, singles in the go-ahead run. Because of course he does. Adeiny Hechavarria’s double play, scored the fifth run for the Fish, giving them a 5-3 lead.

And as usual, the Dodgers were unable to come back. They got a run in the bottom of the eighth, off the Fish Bullpen. Matt Kemp singled, and stole second. A.J. Elis’s EBI single, scored Bison to cut the lead to 5-4. But with A.J. at second after a wild pitch from Chad Qualls, Skip Schumaker, and Dee Gordon both ground out.

The Dodgers went down in order in the bottom of the ninth off of reliever Steve Cishek. The Dodgers lose again, 5-4. The Dodgers made another costly mistake on the base paths as well, when in the 5^th frame, Crawford and Uribe singled, but Uribe was picked off of second base. Fernandez was able to get the win, while Belisario took the loss in relief.

We are very sorry about the lack of recap last night. That should never happen again. Unfortunately, I do not have any of the alternate channels to watch the game when it is pre-empted like it was last night. Prime Ticket decided to air the boring Kings hockey game instead, and the Dodgers were moved to alternate channels last night. So you can blame Prime Ticket for that. At the same time, you didn’t miss much if you didn’t see last night’s game. It was just another loss in a long line of them this season.

Since I was unable to watch the game last night, I did something I haven’t done in a long time. I took a night off. Yes this was the first time I had missed a Dodger game in years. I didn’t listen, but I checked the score from time to time. I figured, I was due a night off every once in a while right? We will be back on normal schedule tonight, as Stacie will bring you the coverage.

The Dodgers are on a pace to have one of their worst seasons in Los Angeles Dodger history. The longest losing streak in Los Angeles Dodger history is ten games  I believe, and this year’s Dodger’s are threatening to break that mark for futility.

Slowey will try and give the Fish a series win over the atrocious Dodgers- Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight in the second game against the Fish, the Dodgers will send Hyn-jin Ryu to the mound, and the Marlins will counter with Kevin Slowey.

Remember Slowey? He used to pitch for the Twins. He has gotten off to a great start for the Marlins. He is 1-2 with a 1.81 ERA, in seven starts. He has whiffed 36 and walked only eight. Slowey has never faced the Dodgers and only five of the current Boys in Bleu have ever faced him. The Dodgers are 11 for 22 against Slowey, with Juan Uribe being the one with the most success in the past against Slowey. Uribe is batting.556 (5 for 9) with two doubles, and a home run off of Slowey.

The Marlins have never faced Ryu either, who is looking for his fourth win of the season. Ryu is 3-2 with a 3.71 ERA, and 48 whiffs against only 12 walks in 2013.

With each loss, the fire Don Mattingly contingent gets even louder, and if the team loses anymore I am afraid he may not be around much longer. This could possibly be one of the worst seasons in Los Angeles Dodger history. We will have much more on the historical context of their losing later.

In the meantime, pull up a chair as Vin would say, because no matter how atrocious the Dodgers, are, and believe me they are beyond atrocious, we always have Vin. The Dodgers have yet to win a game this month, and are now 13-21 firmly entrenched in last place in the NL West. I wonder what all the sunny optimists have to say now? The Dodgers are well on a pace for 100 losses this season.

Tune in tonight at 6PM, as we return to our regular game recap schedule. Stacie will have the call. There shouldn’t be any pre-empting going on tonight, except for the nightly pre-empt of a Dodger win. Right?! Right?! We promise we won’t be going anywhere guys. We’re going down with the ship. We hope you go down with us. Will the Dodgers ever win another game again? Check in with us later to find out. Go Blue.