Dodgers add to Phillies’ misery

The Philadelphia Phillies wasted no time in starting on their second 10,000.

After losing to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday to become the first American pro team to suffer 10,000 defeats, the Phillies were blown out by the Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium, 10-3, the NL West leaders’ fifth straight win.

It’s a streak powered by an offense that has scored 41 runs in those five games.

Monday night, among their 10 hits, the Dodgers got a three-run homer from the old guard (Jeff Kent) and a three-run homer from a member of the new wave (Matt Kemp), who has six hits in his last 10 at-bats.

“I’m being patient,” Kemp said, “I’m getting pitches to hit and I’m taking advantage.”

It’s not only about offense for the Dodgers. They received another strong performance from starter Brad Penny, who went seven innings, giving up four hits and a run, struck out eight, walked three and improved to 11-1, tying him for the league lead in victories.

“When the team is hot like this,” Penny said, “it’s easier to pitch.”

Before the game, Manager Grady Little was asked what he hoped to get out of Penny. Thinking of his weary bullpen, Little said, “nine innings.”

At the start of the game, Little was hoping for nine pitches. Penny’s first six pitches were balls, perhaps threatening the Dodger Stadium record for earliest outburst of boos.

“I was a bit uncomfortable at the start because I hadn’t pitched in a while,” said Penny, whose routine was broken by the All-Star break. His last start was 11 days ago.

Penny and the Dodgers’ bats quickly quieted the crowd after Philadelphia took advantage of the game-opening walk to Jimmy Rollins to score a run.

Rollins stole second and continued to third when the throw from catcher Russell Martin wound up in center field. From there, Rollins scored on a single to left by Chase Utley.

The Dodgers countered with three runs in their half of the first. After back-to-back singles by Rafael Furcal and Juan Pierre, Martin brought the first run home on a groundout. After a steal by Pierre and a walk to Kent, James Loney’s sacrifice fly scored Pierre. Nomar Garciaparra then doubled home Kent.

Kent’s homer in the third made it 6-1. The second baseman connected on a changeup, the first pitch he saw from Jamie Moyer, giving Kent a career total of 1,430 runs batted in, tied with Yogi Berra for 56th on the all-time list.

The Phillies had a chance to get back into the game in the fourth when they loaded the bases with two out and Moyer due to bat.

With his starting pitcher having given up six runs in three innings, logic seemed to dictate that Manager Charlie Manuel use a pinch-hitter.

Such logic, however, doesn’t take into consideration just how weak this Phillies club is. The bullpen began the night with a 4.77 ERA. And the three most likely pinch-hitters for Manuel -- Abraham Nunez, Michael Bourn and Wes Helms -- were a combined five for 35 in that role, a .143 average. As he came to the plate, Moyer was hitting .143.

So Manuel let him hit, Moyer swung halfheartedly and missed a third strike and the game, in effect, was over.

“These guys are impressive,” said Little of his team. “They’re enjoyable to watch.”

steve.springer@latimes.com