APMILWAUKEE - After winning seven straight games, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been anything but lucky.
Los Angeles lost its third straight Tuesday night, falling to the Milwaukee Brewers 9-0 as Doug Davis pitched a four-hitter and Corey Hart drove in a career-high six runs.
The Dodgers have been outscored 27-8 in their last three games.
“When you don’t score runs, you look flat,” Los Angeles manager Grady Little said. “There is no getting around that. But we will put this game behind us and come back tomorrow and see if we will be ready to beat on somebody. Then when we start hitting the ball, starting having baserunners, we won’t look flat anymore. I guarantee you.”
Los Angeles, which had opened a 7½-game lead in the NL West on July 26, leads second-place San Diego just just one game.
“It’s hard to get it going if you are not getting any baserunners, and we didn’t get too many tonight,” Little said.
Davis (10-9) struck out eight, walked one and retired his final 16 batters in his third career shutout, his first since a seven-hitter at Minnesota on May 21, 2005. He had lost his three previous starts since beating Pittsburgh on Aug. 15.
“I worked ahead, expanded my offspeed (pitches) and made them swing at some pitches,” Davis said.
Hart, who entered with four solo homers this year, had a three-run drive in the first off Mark Hendrickson (1-7) and a solo shot in the fifth for his first career multihomer game.
Hart also hit a sacrifice fly in the third and had an RBI forceout in the seventh. It was hit first multi-RBI game this season.
“He’s a kid who can get hot and do some things,” Milwaukee manager Ned Yost said. “Cory’s had success everywhere he’s been. We know Cory is going to be a good player one day and play everyday.”
Hendrickson lasted just four innings for the second straight time, giving up five runs four earned and seven hits. He has lost three straight decisions and has just one victory since June 20.
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Notes: The previous Brewer to drive in six RBI in a game was J.J. Hardy on Sept. 7 last year at Cincinnati. ... Davis’ only other career appearance against Los Angeles was on June 1, 2004. ... Los Angeles reliever Eric Stults made his major league debut, allowing three runs and five hits in three innings. ... Kevin Mench’s single in the third snapped an 0-for-12 skid. ... Los Angeles recalled INF Oscar Robles and OF Delwyn Young from Triple-A Las Vegas. ... Milwaukee reliever Matt Wise, on the disabled list since Aug. 14, is to have season-ending surgery Thursday on the ulnar nerve in his right elbow.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
DeMarco: Plug in a well-heeled ownership group and negotiate one of those mega-bucks TV deals that are going around, and the Dodgers could become the west coast version of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.
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