Dodgers Look to Bounce Back After Epic Loss to Phillies

Hyun-jin Ryu (6-3, 2.85) vs. Cliff Lee (9-2, 2.51)

Lineup: 

M Ellis 2B
Puig RF
Gonzalez 1B
Ramirez SS
Kemp CF
Van Slyke LF
A Ellis C
Uribe 3B
Ryu P

It was a loss for the ages. A 16-1 wallop thanks to an awful start by Chris Capuano and equally awful appearances by relievers Matt Guerrier and Peter Moylan. In fact, the only Dodger pitcher to not allow at least one run to score was none other than utility man Skip Schumaker who pitched his second scoreless inning of relief for the Dodgers this season. It was not only the batting practice meatballs that were being served up by the Dodger arms which sunk this game, but it was also the offensive ineptitude as well. The Dodgers could only muster one measly run against John Lannan and company. Lannan had a career game for himself while collecting three hits on the night with the bat as well. The game was essentially over after the first sweaty mess of a pitch thrown by Capuano, and the only worthwhile moment of the game was watching Skip pitch the ninth.

Skip Schumaker pitched the ninth inning in the horrendous loss Friday night. Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers six-game winning streak was snapped last night, and the Dodgers won’t get any breaks in game three versus the Phillies as Cliff Lee takes the mound. Lee has been dominate over his last 10 starts, and he is 7-0 with a 2.00 ERA during that span. Lee pitches deep into games as well, and he has pitched at least 7 innings in each of his last 10 games. Last time out against San Diego, the lefty allowed 2 runs on 8 hits with 7 strikeouts and one walk over 8 innings in a no-decision. Lee has whiffed 105 batters while only walking 18 this season. Lee has always given the Dodgers a very bad time, and he is 2-1 with a miniscule 0.95 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 38 innings against Los Angeles in his career. One of the only Dodgers who has had any sort of success against Lee is Adrian Gonzalez who has hit .563 with a homerun and 3 RBIs against him. Hanley Ramirez has also hit him well with a homerun to show for it.

Hyun-jin Ryu has been very good at home this season, and he is 4-1 with a 1.81 in 8 starts at Dodger Stadium this year. The left-hander hasn’t won a game since May 28th against the Angels, and he has not gotten through the sixth inning in his last three starts. Last time out against San Francisco, Ryu allowed one run on 8 hits with 2 strikeouts and 4 walks over 6 2/3 innings in the no-decision. Ryu had to battle out of a few jams against the Giants. This will be Ryu’s first career start against Philadelphia.

Ryan Howard will once again sit on Saturday after being out of the Philadelphia lineup on Friday night. Howard is in a

The Dodgers are never able to hit Cliff Lee. Photo: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

bit of a slump, and Charlie Manuel wants him to take some time off.

Carl Crawford will play in his first rehab game on Sunday for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He will play two rehab games in the outfield and two rehab games as the DH. Ted Lilly will also be starting Sunday’s game for the Quakes in his first rehab assignment. Lilly has once again been extremely rusty this season, and his chronic neck issues and other rustiness has caused him to be on the disabled list three times this season.

The 7:10 p.m. game will air on Prime Ticket, and be sure to check back afterwards for our nightly recap. Can the Dodgers overcome the all-mighty Cliff Lee? What did you think about the horrific loss last night? Let us know in the comments. Go Blue!