Los Angeles (17-10) at Cincinnati (10-17)
Currently: - Game info: 7:10 pm EDT Fri May 6, 2005
- TV: FSN2, FSOH
Although the Los Angeles Dodgers are struggling, they haven’t been nearly as bad as the Cincinnati Reds.
The Dodgers come off a subpar homestand to kick off a three-game series with the Reds, who have lost seven straight.
Los Angeles went 4-5 on its homestand after winning its first four games at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers were held to two runs in five of those nine games, and have been outhit in each of their last six contests.
Los Angeles, though, is still sitting atop the NL West.
“We didn’t do offensively what we had been doing the early part of the season, but we’re 17-10, we’re (above .500) both at home and on the road and the wise thing is to realize we have a day off and we pick up the pieces Friday in Cincinnati,” Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said.
Los Angeles’ defense also may have taken a hit as Gold Glove shortstop Cesar Izturis twisted his right ankle in a 5-2 loss to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.
Izturis said he is day-to-day. He was replaced by Norihiro Nakamura, who made his major league debut.
The Dodgers were already short-handed in the infield. Third baseman Jose Valentin will miss more than two months after suffering a knee injury Tuesday.
The Reds are trying to snap their longest losing streak since July, when they dropped eight in a row.
Cincinnati starter Brandon Claussen gave up seven runs in 3 1-3 innings of a 7-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.
The Reds added $17 million to their payroll in the offseason, hoping to close the gap with the Cardinals. Instead, it’s as wide as ever. Cincinnati fell 8 1/2 games behind the NL Central leaders, who have won 18 of 24 meetings over the past two seasons.
“We came into this year with a lot more expectations than last year,” Reds outfielder Ryan Freel said. “Our goals were higher, and it’s a bad feeling right now. With the way we’re playing, it’s a frustrating time. We’ve got to put something together and upset somebody, and we’ve got to do it soon.”
Cincinnati first baseman Sean Casey was 0-for-4 Wednesday, ending his hitting streak at 12 games.
Reds center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. got a day off Wednesday. He has hit safely in his last nine games.
Team Comparison
| Team | Record | Standings | Away/Home | Streak | L10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 71-91 | 4th West | Away 31-50 | Lost 1 | 4-6 |
| Cincinnati | 73-89 | 5th Central | Home 42-39 | Lost 4 | 2-8 |
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