The Dodgers lost in extras again on Saturday and took the series loss on Sunday as the Braves beat them, 8-2.
Clayton Kershaw was outstanding on Saturday, going seven strong innings, striking out 10, and only allowing three men to reach base, two on hits and one walk. Kawakami was just as good, though, and the game was sent to extra innings after Belisario, Sherrill, and Broxton combined for two scoreless innings. Mota came on and game up a two-run go-ahead homerun, and he ended up taking the loss.
The Dodgers’ bats were just as quiet as the Braves through the first nine frames. Kawakami allowed just four hits, but also walked three, proving less command than his opponent Kershaw. After Mota gave up two in the top of the 10th, Andre Ethier drilled an RBI-double in the bottom half to cut their deficit to one run. Matt Kemp was then robbed of a hit and left Ethier stranded on second to end the game.
The pitching was just as good on Sunday, but again came out in a Dodger loss. Eric Stults made the start, tossing five innings, but took the loss as he gave up three runs on five hits. Jeff Weaver highlighted three perfect innings with two strikeouts. Ramon Troncoso was then rocked in ninth, being tagged for four runs and Mota for the fifth Braves’ run that inning.
Javier Vazquez nearly shut down the Dodger offense, holding them to one run on five hits while fanning seven. Casey Blake accounted for the lone run off Vazquez, a sacfly in the fourth to score Ethier.
The Dodgers continue without a day off to San Fran to take on the Giants. Hiroki Kuroda will take the mound on Monday and will face Jonathan Sanchez. Kuroda is coming off his first home win while Sanchez is 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA since his no-hitter back in July before the All-Star Break.
