Davies, Cubs bullpen combine to no-hit the Dodgers

LOS ANGELES — The last game at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers got shut out for the first time in 140 games. On Thursday night, I guess they thought they’d try to top that and they got no-hit by Zach Davies (I know, right?) and three Cubs relievers. Walker Buehler’s unbeaten streak was broken as the Dodgers lost their fourth game in a row. So pretty much nothing went right.

Lots of walks, but no hits

The Dodgers had baserunners via the walk almost every inning. Cubs pitchers gave up a total of eight walks on Thursday night. But I guess if the offensive highlight of the game is the numerous walks you were able to get, it was pretty bad game at the plate. Davies et al were always able to work around the walks, thanks to a lot of weak contact from the Dodgers and seven strikeouts. Davies, who had a lot of success against the Dodgers when he played for San Diego, was masterful. “You kind of pay attention to what’s going on with the game. The way I pitch is very mental, so you kind of pay attention to the way the game is going,” Davies said in a post-game interview. “But it doesn’t really set in until like the sixth or seventh inning when it’s real.”

Dodgers disappointed in execution

Manager Dave Roberts was pleased that the Dodgers had reduced their strikeouts, which had been a problem in the San Diego series, but was dissatisfied with the Dodgers’ execution. “Overall, I think collectively we just didn’t do a good job of executing a game plan,” he said after the game. “We know Davies. We’ve seen him, and the pull-side outs, the weak contact… we just didn’t execute a plan tonight.”

Dodger players agreed with Roberts’ assessment. “I don’t think they were very good as a whole today,” outfielder Mookie Betts said of the team’s at-bats. “We mixed in a couple, but as a whole I don’t think we had very good at-bats. But there’s always two sides. You got to definitely tip your cap and give credit to the Cubs for pitching a great game.”

It was the first time a defending World Series champ has gone hitless in a game since the Giants were no-hit by Homer Bailey in 2013. And the first time the Dodgers have been no-hit since 2015.

Don’t blame Buehler

For his part, starter Walker Buehler pitched another good game. His two mistakes on the night went over the fence. The Cubs got a solo shot from Javier Baez in the first inning, and a two-run jack from Wilson Contreras in the sixth. It looked like Roberts might lift Buehler after the Contreras homer but after a mound visit, he let the righty finish the inning. It was the fifteenth straight straight of the year that Buehler has gone at least six.

David Price gave up a run in the seventh, but it could have been a lot worse if Phil Bickford hadn’t done some great pitching with nobody out and the bases loaded. Garrett Cleavinger pitched two scoreless innings to finish up the game, which was a good sign for a pitcher just off the IL.

Three more with Chicago

So in this little four-game skid, the Dodgers have gotten decent enough pitching, giving up a total of 18 runs over four games. The problem has been the offense, which has scored only eight runs over that same stretch. Two runs a game is not going to cut it, kids. Not in any division, and especially not in the National League West. They are now tied with Padres for second place, 4.5 games behind the Giants. This is not the time for an elongated slump, boys. Let’s get it together fast.

Oh by the way, the last pitcher who no-hit the Dodgers? Jake Arrieta, the Cubs’ starter for Friday night.

Lovely.