Jeff Francoeur went 2-for-4 with a 2-run double and a solo home run. I could just end the recap right there — trust me, I almost did — and you’d know the outcome. But, that wouldn’t be fair to former Dodger and massively underrated in his time with the team Chad Billingsley. Oh, the Dodgers lost 7-2 to the hapless Phillies.
Billingsley was pretty good, especially considering his previous four starts resulted in a 33 Game Score (for context, each starter begins with a base score of 50). He went six innings, allowed six hits, two runs (both earned), issued a walk and struck out three (54 Game Score). The only runs he allowed came on a 2-run home run by Yasmani Grandal (who is really, really good). I’m not really sure how much Billingsley has left in the tank, but it’s good to see him do well — just wish it didn’t come against the Dodgers.
The offense was shut down by Billingsley, as it could muster just six hits against him. The Phillies’ bullpen held the Dodgers scoreless over the final three innings. Grandal did finish 2-for-3 with a home run and a walk.
But the lack of offense didn’t matter much (oh yeah, the base running sucked again), as Brett Anderson had his worst start in nearly a month: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 87 pitches, 62 strikes, 8/2 GO/AO. Not as bad when to dive into it a bit, but when Francoeur gets the biggest hit of the game, you deserve to lose. Despite the setback, Anderson has been a pleasant surprise this season. Juan Nicasio was also bad as he allowed four hits, three runs and issued a walk in two innings of work. Ian Thomas IAN THOMAS of all pitchers had a scoreless outing.
While he’s always good on Twitter, Eric Stephen is especially good with the snark when there’s a dumb game. A couple examples …
You forgot a few cliches there https://t.co/RJKgbyoBD7
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) July 8, 2015
1) to spite you, personally
2) it's 7.09 with OKC (4.81 in AAA in 2015) https://t.co/aga4s55H76— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) July 8, 2015
He’s also good at the spring training snark.
The Dodgers fall to 47-38 with the loss. Not All-Star (because people are dumb) Clayton Kershaw (5-6, 3.08 ERA) takes the hill in Game 3 of the 4-game series. He is opposed Adam Morgan (1-1, 2.13). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Pacific time.
You know, if Cole Hamels really wanted to be a Dodger, he’d just switch clubhouses right now. Maybe he doesn’t have TWTW, like the Dodgers (Dodger Talk callers tonight, probably).