DODGERS BATS STYMIED AGAINST FRAMBER VALDEZ IN SHUTOUT LOSS TO ASTROS

The Dodgers faced off against the Houston Astros for the first time at Minute Maid Park since 2021 on Friday, with the Dodgers unable to mount any runs in a 5-0 shutout loss.

Gavin Stone was given the start against Houston, coming off a five inning performance where he allowed just one run against the Boston Red Sox. Stone squared off against Houston southpaw Framber Valdez, who entered with an ERA of 3.63 compared to Stone’s 3.19.

Stone was able to secure a quick eight pitch first inning against the Astros trio of All Stars. When Stone ran into trouble in the second inning, he fell behind in the count to left fielder Joey Loperfido with two men on base and served an RBI single the opposite way to give Houston the early lead.

Stone’s kryptonite was his tendency to find the middle of the strike zone after falling behind in the count. In the fourth inning, Stone fell behind in the count 2-1 after throwing a first pitch strike to Alex Bregman. Bregman promptly ambushed a fastball in the heart of the plate for a solo home run to double Houston’s lead.

In the fifth inning, Stone would fall behind in the count 3-1 to first baseman Jon Singleton after starting ahead 0-1. After bringing the count full, Stone tossed a cut-fastball that hugged too much of the zone, as Singleton demolished it into the second deck, once again doubling Houston’s lead.

Shohei Ohtani led off the game with a hustle double to left center field, but after that double, the Dodgers offense fell completely silent.

Valdez attacked hitters with a first pitch strike in 16 out of the 24 batters he faced, allowing just two hits when throwing a first pitch strike. At one point, Valdez had set down 16 straight hitters, striking out six Dodgers in a row between the fourth and sixth innings. Even when the Dodgers began to pounce on Valdez, creating a bases loaded opportunity with just one out in the sixth inning, Valdez worked through Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages to keep the Dodgers scoreless.

Valdez would exit in the seventh inning, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out 10 Dodgers through 6 1⁄3 shutout innings.

The Dodgers’ bullpen didn’t fare any better at keeping the lead at four, with Ryan Yarbrough giving up an RBI double to Mauricio Dubón to give the Astros their fifth and final run of the game. Brent Honeywell needed just three pitches to record the Dodgers’ final two outs of the game.

Since being claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 14, Honeywell has dazzled in his brief time as a Dodger, posting 8 shutout innings while allowing just four hits, striking out six without allowing any walks.

Friday’s loss marks the fifth time the Dodgers have been shut out all season, and the first time since June 4 against Pittsburgh.

Game particulars

  • Home runs: Alex Bregman (13), Jon Singleton (8)
  • WP— Framber Valdez (9-5): 6 1⁄3 IP, 4 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 10 strikeouts
  • LP— Gavin Stone (9-4): 6 IP, 9 hits, 4 earned runs, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts

Up next

The Dodgers will look to bounce back on Saturday and even the series against the Astros (5:10 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA). Rookie southpaw Justin Wrobleski will make his fourth career start while rookie right-hander Ronel Blanco will make his 20th start of the season for Houston.

2024-07-27T02:55:55Z dg43tfdfdgfd