A’s 5, Dodgers 2: Frustrating loss is frustrating

It’s kind of hard to win baseball games when getting just two hits. The Dodgers got two hits and lost, again, in Oakland 5-2.

This 2-game series was frustrating for a number of reasons, but the one that stands out most is the fact that the Dodgers lost two games in a row to worst team in the American League without facing Sonny Gray.

Jesse Chavez, a player many said the Dodgers were interested in before the trade deadline, hurled a gem: 8 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K. The only runs came on a third-inning Jimmy Rollins home run. Enrique Hernandez had the only other Dodger hit — a double in the eighth inning. The rest of the offense was stifled. Probably should have traded for him.

Alex Wood started and pitched OK enough for five innings, but things kind of fell apart in the sixth. He allowed a single to No. 9 hitter Eric Sogard and the slappiest of doubles (aided by Joc Pederson‘s inability to field it cleanly) to Billy Burns that tied the game at two. The Athletics’ next run came on a double play, which as the correct call at that point in the game.

Wood’s final line was as follows: 5 2/3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 82 pitches, 48 strikes, 7/2 GO/AO. His command wasn’t great and he wasn’t missing a ton of bats. This was probably his worst outing since coming to the Dodgers.

Chris Hatcher retired all four batters he faced and has been perfect since his return from the disabled list. If there’s any justice in this baseball world, he will take off as the Dodgers’ primary setup man to help get the ball to Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning, since Don Mattingly won’t use him before that time. Jim Johnson looked terrible, as usual (it seems). He allowed two runs in one-third of an inning.

The Dodgers fall to 67-53 with the loss and, at press time, hold a 1 1/2-game lead on the Giants in the NL West. After an off-day, the Dodgers head to Houston to take on the first-place Astros (65-55). Brett Anderson (7-7, 3.48 ERA) opposes, well, we don’t know yet. Let’s just call him, “TBD.” First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. Pacific time.

Oh, and the Dodgers are on the verge of acquiring Chase Utley and $2 million from the Phillies two minor-leaguers. More on that when it becomes more official (either later tonight or tomorrow morning).