Dodgers let it get away in 5-3 loss to Diamondbacks

By Steve Dilbeck

July 6, 2012 12 AM PT

There they were, just seeming to roll along, closing in on their fourth consecutive victory, Clayton Kershaw in complete command.

Through five innings, Kershaw was in Cy Young form, giving up only one hit and leading 2-0.

And then it suddenly came undone, Kershaw and the Dodgers’ modest winning streak evaporating in a five-run Arizona sixth inning that the Diamondbacks rode to a 5-3 victory Friday.

The loss cut the Dodgers’ lead in the National League West to a half-game over the Giants, while the Diamondbacks felt some slight reprieve by snapping a six-game losing streak.

Early on Kershaw seemed headed toward his seventh victory, having struck out seven and walked only one through five superlative innings. What plantar fasciitis?

But Kershaw appeared to tire quickly, falling behind hitters and losing his edge in the sixth. A walk, singles by Willie Bloomquist and Aaron Hill, a triple by Justin Upton and a Jason Kubel double later, and Kershaw was chased.

All five runs were charged to Kershaw (6-5).

The Dodgers managed 13 hits, but were left frustrated after wasting key scoring opportunities in the seventh and eighth innings.

After scoring one run in the seventh, the Dodgers loaded the bases with no outs and failed to score again. Reliever Mike Zagurski caught Jerry Hairston Jr. looking at a third strike, then got a double play when James Loney flied out to left and Kubel’s strong throw home beat Mark Ellis.

The Dodgers had runners on the corners with no outs in the eighth against right-hander David Hernandez, but Elian Herrera struck out, Tony Gwynn Jr. flied out and Ellis whiffed.

The Dodgers scored an unearned run in the third on a Bobby Abreu double, one more in the fourth on a solo home run by Adam Kennedy –- his first as a Dodger –- and a third run in the seventh on a Juan Rivera single.

The Dodgers were only three of 16 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on base.

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