The Los Angeles Dodgers thus far in no way, shape or form resemble their 2017 selves, as after getting clobbered by the Arizona Diamondbacks, 9-1, on Saturday night, they dropped to 4-9 on the season.
Rich Hill was on the mound for his third start of the season, and had one of his worst outings since joining the team in 2016. Hill labored through five innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits, while striking out five and walking two.
It actually would have been eight runs if it were not for Diamondbacks third baseman Deven Marrero running past Alex Avila, after hitting a home run. Avila began to retreat to first base in the event Marrero’s fly ball was going to be caught.
The Dodgers challenged the play and after review, Marrero was called out and a run was taken off the board, not that it mattered in regards to the final outcome.
In addition to expressing disappointment in his performance, Hill said the Diamondbacks’ strong stretch of play is reminiscent of what the Dodgers enjoyed last season, via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
“You can definitely relate to the way they’re playing right now,” Hill said. “It’s the way we were playing last year.”
The Dodgers are in danger of being swept by the Diamondbacks for the second time this season if they cannot get a win Saturday afternoon with ace Clayton Kershaw taking the mound. Arizona has won 11 straight regular-season games against the Dodgers dating back to last season.
Saturday’s loss dropped Hill to 1-1 on the season in three starts and raised his ERA to 6.00 to go along with a 1.60 WHIP in 15 innings pitched. He is not the only Dodgers starter that is struggling, as both Kenta Maeda and Alex Wood are also coming off their worst outings of the season.
