The Dodgers started out the week in a weak fashion, losing their first three games in St. Louis, and losing three games and four games in a row for the first time this season. They did avoid a sweep though, by beating the Cardinals in the 4th game of the series. They have yet to be swept this season.
They followed up the St. Louis series by taking two games out of three in Atlanta to go 3-4 on the week.
And with that, let's do Round 14 of HOT, COLD, or ROOM TEMPERATURE:
COLD:
- Brent Leach - 0-0 (2 games), an ERA of infinity (4 ER), and a demotion - Nothing could go right for Leach this week. He made two appearances in the St. Louis series, both times failing to record an out, both times surrendering at least a run. And, to make matters worse for him, he was sent to AAA. He'd obviously been struggling (an ERA of 31.50 in his last 7 games, or 2.0 IP). Hopefully, he can straighten out whatever problems he's having down there.
- Manny Ramírez - .172 (5-29), 2 2Bs, 5 BBs, 9 Ks - It's been a pretty bad week for Manny. In fact, since the Manny-Slammy (or rather, the Cincinnati series in which he was struck in the hand), Manny has been hitting .162 (with a .495 OPS). It makes you wonder if that hand might be affecting him more than he's letting on.
ROOM TEMPERATURE:
- Chad Billingsley - 1-1 (2 starts), 5.06 ERA (6 ER in 10.2 IP), 7 BBs, 14 Ks - Another up and down week for Billingsley. His first start in St. Louis: 5.2 IP, 6 ER, though, in fairness, he was doing really well until the 6th. Things started looking up for Chad in his next start in Atlanta: 5.0 IP, 0 ER. That was until he had to leave early due to a cramp in his hamstring. It doesn't seem to be too bad, it just sucks for Chad, who was kinda on a roll in the Atlanta game.
HOT:
- Rafael Furcal - .333 (11-33), 1 2B, 4 RBIs, 2 BBs, 1 SB - Furcal had a nice week. I'm not sure he's ever going to fully turn it on this season and hit like he was at the beginning of 2008, but if he continues to have nice weeks like this, it'll definitely help.
- Jason Schmidt - 1-0 (1 start), 0.00 ERA (0 ER in 6.0 IP), 5 BBs, 3 Ks - What? What?! We got a productive start out of Jason Schmidt? WHAT??! Yeah. He probably surrendered too many walks, sure, but he shut down the Braves for six innings and gave his team the chance to win. That's really all that we can ask. But wow... a productive start... from Jason Schmidt?! Who'd have thunk it?
- Casey Blake - .440 (11-25), 2 2Bs, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 2 BBs, 4 runs - I'm glad Blake had a good week so I can bring back his most interesting facts. Casey Blake once traded his General Manager at the trade deadline... and got the other team to surrender $2 million in cash considerations. Casey Blake is... the most interesting 3rd baseman in the World.
- Andre Ethier - .300 (9-30), 2 2Bs, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 5 BBs, 4 Ks, 1 SB - Another good week for Ethier. Still collecting hits, still driving in runs, and walking more than striking out. Nice.
- Clayton Kershaw - 0-0 (1 start), 0.00 ERA (0 ER in 8.0 IP), 7 Ks - Unfortunate for Kershaw that he didn't pick up the win in his start this week, because he totally deserved it. He shut down the Cardinals in the longest start of his career. July was a good month in general for Kershaw. He went 3-0 in six starts with a 0.71 ERA. He struck out 34 in 38.0 IP. Just three earned runs. In the entire month! Very nice work.
Speaking of Kershaw, he's goes tonight against the Brewers. After what was probably the toughest road trip for the Dodgers this season, they're home this week to take on the Brewers for three, and the Braves (again?) for four.
Then, on to San Francisco. But that's for another week recap. See you then.
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