Giants 3, Dodgers 1: Just can’t beat them

For the fifth time in seven meetings the Giants, got the best of the Dodgers, downing them 3-1 on Thursday night in a frustrating game.

The ending overshadowed a great outing by Josh Beckett,who went 6 2/3 innings, gave up one run on five hits, walked three and struck out four. His only mistake was a seventh-inning home run allowed to Brandon Hicks, who was hitting less than .200 coming into the game.

The Dodgers, once again, couldn’t figure out a mediocre pitcher in Ryan Vogelsong, as they mustered just one run off him — a sacrifice fly by the offensive juggernaut known as Drew Butera. Adrian Gonzalez hit into the shift a couple times. My advice for him: stop hitting into the shift.

In the 10th inning (yes, another extra inning game on a school night — thanks guys!), J.P. Howell got the first out before walking Angel Pagan (somewhat understandable). Jamey Wright replaced him and walked Hunter Pence (not even a little understandable) and Buster Posey. Naturally, Hector Sanchez hit the go-ahead sacrifice fly and Brandon Belt followed it with an RBI single.

Andre Ethier got hit by a pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning, but that was the only threat the Dodgers put forth in extras.

This whole “not being able to beat the Giants” thing is getting rather old. The Dodgers are 3 1/2 games back (yes, it’s May) and aren’t playing up to their capabilities. It’s frustrating as all hell.

The Dodgers fall to 19-17 on the season (3-6 in extra innings) while the Giants improve to 22-13. The second game of the important 4-game series is Friday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Paul Maholm (1-2, 4.70) opposes Madison Bumgarner (3-3, 3.18). That should be fun.

God I hate when they lose to the Giants.