The Los Angeles Dodgers scored first against the San Francisco Giants in three of their four games. The one time they didn’t — Saturday — when Madison Bumgarner’s solo home run off Clayton Kershaw gave San Francisco a 1-0 lead in the second inning, the Dodgers went on to win in extras behind Charlie Culberson’s go-ahead double in the 10th.
After combining to shutout the San Diego Padres over three games, and holding the Giants without a run through four innings on Thursday, the Dodgers pitching staff had their 31 consecutive scoreless innings streak snapped.
In some sense, it was a precursor of what was to follow in the coming days. Chris Hatcher replaced Ross Stripling after the rookie threw 7.1 no-hit innings in his Major League debut on Friday night, and promptly gave up a game-tying two-run home run to Trevor Brown.
While multiple Dodgers relievers took their share of lumps throughout the four-game set, none had it more difficult than J.P. Howell. The left-hander made two appearances, facing six batters without recording an out.
After the Dodgers squandered another lead and suffered a loss Sunday, Howell said the series at AT&T Park was reminiscent of those in previous years, via Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
“Every year, it’s like this,” said Dodgers reliever J.P. Howell who had a miserable weekend in San Francisco – he gave up hits to all six batters he faced in the series. “Even if you jump out to early leads, you never feel comfortable. The fans keep them in it. I think it’s exciting for players when they know if they do something good, fans are going to romp. It’s a fun place to play and it’s a tough place to play.”
Howell went on to give Giants batters their due:
“They out-grinded me,” Howell said. “They were tougher than me. I guess that’s what I have to say.”
Howell gave up four consecutive base hits, including a bunt single, and allowed one run in his first appearance against the Giants. Pedro Baez entered and allowed a grand slam to Hunter Pence. Howell wound up getting charged for four runs.
The 32-year-old Howell entered in the sixth inning of a tied game on Sunday. He inherited a runner on second base, gave up an infield single, followed by a two-run double. Entering 2016, Howell had allowed just two runs over 9.1 innings pitched (career 1.93 ERA) at AT&T Park.
He’s the lone left-hander residing in the Dodgers’ bullpen, as Adam Liberatore was optioned prior to camp breaking, and the club selected Louis Coleman over Luis Avilan as the final reliever on the active roster. Howell has thrown a combined 31 pitches in his three relief appearances this season.
