Dodgers still can’t get offense going as Angels figure out John Ely in 4-2 victory

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So the bad thing about pitching to contact is when the contact launches the ball like a rocket.

Rookie John Ely, the Dodgers’ unexpected rotation find, built an early reputation as a pitcher who threw strikes. Who went after hitters, even though he had less than sensational stuff, and let his defense make plays.

He pitched to contact again Saturday against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. Alas, three went for doubles and another was a two-run home run by Juan Rivera.

And with the Dodgers’ offense again hibernating, that was more than the Angels needed for a 4-2 victory that knocked the Dodgers out of first place in the National League West.

Hey, it was fun while it lasted (four days).

Now all that’s between the Dodgers and an embarrassing three-game sweep to the Angels on Sunday is rookie Carlos Monasterios, who is expected to make his last start before relinquishing his spot in the rotation to Vicente Padilla.

For the second consecutive start, Ely lasted five innings and allowed four earned runs. Now there has to be a slight concern that other teams are getting on to Ely.

It would help, of course, if the offense could awaken from its prolonged doldrums. Even while the Dodgers were winning -- and they’re still 8-4 on their homestand -- the offense has largely struggled to resemble the unit that terrorized the National League in April.

The Dodgers have scored two or fewer runs in five of their last 11 games. Saturday night they managed just five hits against five Angels pitchers, with Scott Kazmir (6-5) getting the victory and Brian Fuentes his ninth save.

The Dodgers’ best offensive chance after they fell behind 4-2 came when Jamey Carroll walked and former Angel Garret Anderson singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh against reliever Kevin Jepsen.

It quickly went nowhere. Rafael Furcal popped up to third oddly trying to bunt. Russell Martin walked, but Andre Ethier struck out and Matt Kemp bounced out to third.

Kemp is now hitless in his last 15 at-bats, with five strikeouts.

--Steve Dilbeck