Dodgers shut out by Cueto, Giants’ pen

SAN FRANCISCO — Pity the poor Dodger fan who took the day off work to catch the final game of the series at Oracle Park against the Giants. You bought your tickets, found your seat, withstood the jeers of Giants’ fans, and for what? To watch your beloved Dodgers put up goose eggs on the scoreboard for nine excruciating innings. They had a couple of chances, but in the end there was too much vintage Johnny Cueto on display on Thursday as the Dodgers dropped a yawner 5-0. It was the third time this year the team has been shut out.

Early Wildness costs Price two runs

David Price got the start for Dave Roberts‘ squad on the getaway matinee, and he wasn’t nearly as sharp as he had been in his previous outing. Right out of the box, he managed to walk the bases loaded in the bottom of the first. Newly activated Brandon Crawford ripped a two-run double down the third base line, and the the Giants had all the runs they would need before most of the paying customers had found their seats. The Giants would add on off Price, who gave up two-out hits in both the second and the fourth to tack on two more runs. In the end, it was a pretty mediocre outing for the lefty Price: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 K.

Defense still not playing clean baseball

Yes, you read that right, the Dodgers gave up another unearned run in this ball game. Chris Taylor booted a routine grounder to allow a runner on in the fourth, who later came around to score on an Austin Slater single. It didn’t figure in the final outcome of the game today, but the Dodger’s nasty habit of allowing free passes and unearned runs just has to be cleaned up before October.

Bases loaded threat ends with nothing

Meanwhile, at the plate, Dodgers hitters came up empty against the herky-jerky motion of Johnny Cueto all afternoon. They had a sliver of hope in the top of the sixth when they loaded up the bases for Cody Bellinger with two out. It would have been a nice hero moment for Belli if he’d managed to get a hit, but instead it was a strikeout on three straight pitches from reliever Jarlin Garcia. Good Morning. Good Afternoon. Good night.

Three Games Down, 58 to go…

It was a flat performance all the way around. Again, the Dodgers’ team weaknesses are exposed in a match-up with a divisional rival. The Dodgers are now 8-8 against the Giants, having dropped seven out of the last ten. True, the Dodgers were down a couple of guys for this series, but so were the Giants. If you want to be the champion, you simply have to play better than this in these key games. The Dodgers get right back on the horse on Friday night against the D-backs, and by then all the rosters will be set for the playoff push. As I write his I’m hearing about a deal for veteran Danny Duffy, who would be a nice fit in the back end of the rotation. Max Scherzer, on the other hand is rumored to be headed to the Padres. Not great, Bob.