The Dodgers’ starting rotation — and by that, I mean the four guys who we KNOW are going to be in it– has been roughed up for 14 runs on 25 hits over 13 1/3 innings this time through. For that mathematically challenged, that’s an 8.78 ERA (only 13 runs were earned). It all sort of came to a head today when Randy Wolf gave up seven runs on 10 hits over four innings. Of those seven runs, four of them were knocked in by opposing pitcher Carlos Zambrano with a three-run homer and an RBI double. In fairness to Randy, Zambrano is one of the best-hitting pitchers in the game. But fear not, Dodgers fans. This is basically an annual occurrence during the dog days of spring training — and these most definitely are those — when pitchers who have been throwing off mounds, throwing batting practice and throwing in meaningless exhibition games go through an inevitable dead-arm period that usually subsides well in advance of opening day. That’s exactly what this is, right?
“I hope so,” Joe Torre said.
Well, that sounds convincing.
James McDonald got roughed up today, too, giving up four runs in 1 2/3 innings. Torre said that probably was due to nerves now that McDonald really believes he has a shot to make the team. There weren’t really any positives on the offensive side for the Dodgers, either. They had five hits.
One guy who hasn’t been mentioned a lot this spring is Brian Mazone, a non-roster lefty who could sneak in and take that situational spot that no one else seems to want. He pitched a perfect ninth and has yet to give up a run in seven appearances this spring.
Dodgers fall to 10-10.
