Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Braves defeated the Dodgers 4-3 on Tuesday night in Atlanta. But the outcome of the game isn’t nearly as important as the outcome of Brett Anderson‘s injury.
That’s right, it finally happened. In the third inning, Anderson attempted to field a chopper by Jonny Gomes. Not only did it go as an infield single, Anderson hurt his left Achilles tendon on the play. Luckily, it wasn’t torn or ruptured, but he does have irritation in the area. He’ll be re-evaluated Wednesday. It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see him land on the disabled list.
He wasn’t pitching particularly well before the injury — 2 2/3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K — but with a 4-inning performance from Brandon Beachy last night, Anderson was being counted on for some much-needed innings.
As for the rest of the game, well, the Dodgers had plenty of chances and just couldn’t cash in on enough of them. Justin Turner and Yasiel Puig popped solo home runs in the first- and second innings, respectively, but the Dodgers failed to muster much more offense against Alex Wood. Wood is a solid pitcher, but he was in trouble all night long (six hits allowed and four walks issued in 6 2/3 innings), but no one on the club could get more than one hit. Chin-hui Tsao — yes, the reliever — had a ground-rule double and scored the Dodgers’ third run.
The most notable failure came in the sixth inning. Adrian Gonzalez led off with a single that was followed by a Scott Van Slyke (yes, he still exists) walk. Puig flied out to right field with the count in his favor. Then Wood, who hadn’t struck out anyone all night, struck out Enrique Hernandez and Austin Barnes for the final two outs of the inning.
Don Mattingly got ejected in the eighth inning after Turner nearly got ejected for criticizing the home plate umpire’s strike zone. It seems he was awful all night long. That happens, though.
From the file of “They get paid to do this for a living,” I present to you Charley Steiner. Not once, not twice but three times he said, “The Dodgers have not led in this series.” Fact is, Turner’s first-inning homer gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. But you know, facts are overrated.
The Dodgers fall to 53-42 with the loss. Mike Bolsinger (4-3, 3.04 ERA) takes the hill in the matinee game against Julio Teheran (6-4, 4.53). First pitch is scheduled for 9:10 a.m. (not a typo). Just don’t get swept.
Burn the ships!
