Dodgers can’t support Hiroki Kuroda’s strong outing and are swept out of Boston, 2-0
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Where’s a little V-energy when you really need it?
Boston is home to the Russian healer/physicist, Vladimir Shpunt, who was hired by team owners for five years to send positive energy to the Dodgers. Alas, it is also home to the Red Sox.
The good news for the Dodgers is, Sunday’s 2-0 loss completed the series sweep by the Red Sox and was the last time the Dodgers will face them this regular season.
The bad news is, up next is the Angels, who just swept a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. And then the world champion Yankees.
Sunday marked the Dodgers’ seventh consecutive loss to an American League foe. Right now, they look overmatched against the premier A.L. teams.
Wasted Sunday was a superb outing by right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, who gave up the two runs on an infield hit and a sacrifice fly.
Kuroda went seven strong innings, allowing only six hits, walking one and striking out nine. And suffered the loss to fall to 6-5 despite his 3.06 ERA.
The Dodgers’ offense continued to be lost at sea, or at least in need of a Shpunt boost. They managed just four hits Sunday.
Clay Buchholz shut out the Dodgers on three hits for 6 2/3 innings, Daniel Bard kept them scoreless for 1 1/3 innings and Jonathan Papelbon completed the shutout with a perfect ninth.
The Dodgers have now lost seven of their last nine games, and have fallen two games back of the Padres in the National League West. After an off-day Monday, play their next three at Anaheim.
-- Steve Dilbeck