Dodgers bullpen shows perfection can’t last in loss to Padres
SAN DIEGO — This day was bound to come. The Dodgers’ relievers weren’t going to be perfect forever.
When the bullpen finally gave in Tuesday, it allowed the floodgates to open.
Ronald Belisario, Paco Rodriguez, Matt Guerrier and J.P. Howell combined to give up six runs in the seventh and eighth innings, as the Dodgers fell to the San Diego Padres, 9-3.
The Dodgers came into the game with their bullpen not having given up a single run in their first six games. Six relievers made a combined 14 appearances, including three each by closer Brandon League and setup man Kenley Jansen.
The bullpen’s scoreless streak was extended to 14 innings Tuesday, when Chris Capuano pitched a scoreless sixth inning in his season debut.
Everything went downhill from there, starting with a go-ahead, run-scoring double Belisario gave up to Mark Kotsay in the seventh inning. Rodriguez was charged with two runs and two walks; Guerrier two runs, a hit and a walk; and Howell a run, two hits and two walks.
Ramirez progressing
Sidelined shortstop Hanley Ramirez said he expects to get the cast removed from his right hand this week.
With the cast stabilizing his surgically repaired right thumb, Ramirez is already taking grounders, throwing and hitting one-handed. He remains hopeful he could return to the lineup by the middle of next month.
“I’ve been doing everything,” said Ramirez, who underwent surgery March 21 to repair a torn ligament in his thumb.
Ramirez said he doesn’t know what he will be able to do once his cast is removed.
“Let’s see how everything feels when I get the cast off,” he said.
Ramirez acknowledged he sometimes gets antsy.
“What I do is go in the gym and work,” he said.
Channel surfing
The Dodgers’ games Wednesday and Friday won’t be shown on PrimeTicket, which will instead air the Clippers’ games on those days. Below is a listing of channels on which the various cable providers will offer the game.
AT&T;: 696, 1696 (HD); Cox Santa Barbara: 8; Cox Orange County: 3; Cox Las Vegas: 96; Cox Palos Verdes 3; DIRECTV: 689, 689-1 (HD); Time Warner-Los Angeles: 700; Time Warner-Desert Cities, Yucca, Banning: 590; Time Warner-Barstow: 671; Verizon: 1.
The Dish Network will air the Wednesday game against the Padres on Ch. 449 and Ch. 9519 (HD), and the Friday game against the Diamondbacks on 441.
Charter Communications and Comcast Cable will not air the two games.
Short hops
With Ramon Hernandez recently acquired to back up starting catcher A.J. Ellis, rookie Tim Federowicz was optioned to triple-A Albuquerque. Federowicz’s roster spot was cleared to make room for Chad Billingsley, who will be activated from the 15-day disabled list to pitch against the Padres on Wednesday. … Ted Lilly will continue his minor league rehabilitation assignment on Wednesday in Albuquerque. … Top prospect Yasiel Puig is batting .538 with a home run, three runs batted in, three runs scored, three walks and a steal in his first four games with double-A Chattanooga.
Twitter: @dylanohernandez
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