Dodgers Gloomy After Falling Short To Brewers 6-5

The Dodgers dropped Saturday’s cactus league affair at marysvale to the Brewers 6-5 on Saturday afternoon. amidst inclement weather, the Dodgers blew a three  one-run lead in the sixth, when left hander Chris Reed surrendered four earned runs.

Haren made his Dodger debut on Saturday, allowing one earned run on three hits in two innings-Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

While the weather was gloomy, the Dodger’s moods were as well. The club was still patiently awaiting the MRI results on young pitching prospect Ross Stripling. We have yet to hear anything, but the results could take a few days before we hear anything concrete. I guess no news at the moment is better than bad news, but Adrian’s take on it is spot on. Keeping an injury from the club never works out well for the player. Kenny just had an interview with Stripling, so this is most weird and alarming. I am hoping we didn’t jinx him or something. You hear that boys? Don’t interview with these Lasorda’s Lair guys, or your arms will fall off. JOKES!!! I seriously jest.

Anyways back to Saturday’s game, free agent signee Dan Haren made his cactus league Dodger debut on Saturday throwing two frames, allowing one earned run on three hits, walking one and whiffing none. Haren looked ok, but Milwaukee starter Kyle Lohse looked like he was already in midseason form. Lohse threw 21 of his 28 pitches for strikes, retiring all six batters he faced in two scoreless frames.

The Dodgers had a 2-1 lead early, without the benefit of a hit. The Dodgers used an error, three walks, and a sacrifice fly from Yasiel Puig to score two runs in the top of the third. Ariel Pena walked three in a row, after Brewer’s left fielder Jason Rogers dropped a fly ball. Chone Figgin’s picked up the RBi after his walk forced in a run, which preceded a Puig sac fly to put the Dodgers ahead.

The Brewers scored four runs in the sixth off of Reed when the red-hot Mitch Haniger, (who homered in Friday’s game for Milwaukee and Hector Gomez each smacked consecutive two-run singles to give the Brewers a 5-2 lead. Reed was actually ahead of Haniger 0-2, but couldn’t put him away, as he drove a line drive into left to plate two.

The Brewers plated one more run in the eighth inning to extend their lead to 6-2, before the Dodgers clawed their way back into the game. Pete Orr singled, stole a base, and then scored on a Caleb Gindi fielder’s choice.

The Dodgers scored twice more in the eighth and once in the top of the ninth to get close, but ended up falling just shy. In the eighth, after Nick Buss walked, (Yes chili Buss actually reached base), Clint Robinson’s single, and run scoring singles from Darnell Sweeney, and Miguel Rojas brought the Boys in Blue to within two.

Check out Figgin’s great catch in the first inning below.

The Dodgers down 6-4 mounted a late rally in the top of the ninth, but couldn’t capitalize. Brewer’s pitcher, and former Dodger Brent Leach (who pitched in 38 games for the Dodgers in 2009), gave up a double to Justin Turner, and a single to Alexander Guerrero. Unfortunately Guerrero was picked off first base by Leach. Joc Pederson’s single scored Turner to cut the lead to 6-5. But the Dodgers would leave the tying and winning runs on base as Leach whiffed Nick Buss, to noone’s shock. After Clint Robinson notched his third hit of the game to advance Pederson to second, Sweeney grounded out to end the game.

Speaking of former Dodgers, former Dodger, and extraterrestrial Elian Herrera had a great game against his former club, as he notched three singles.

Right hander Kevin Shackleford was credited with the win, as Reed took the loss for the Dodgers. Carl Crawford who has been battling a sore quad and extreme rustiness got in some game action. The outfielder had one at-bat, and drew a walk in the sixth inning.

The Dodgers will now return home to Camelback as Josh Beckett makes his spring debut on Sunday afternoon against the Padres. Also expected to see some action is newly signed Pail Maholm, who has been battling a sore elbow this spring. Both pitchers are expected to fight for the fifth starter spot.

The game will be televised at 12:05 PM on SportsnetLA, and MLB.tv. The Dodgers are now 2-2 in exhibition play.