Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
By Jon Weisman
From the moment he had the Cincinnati grounds crew work on the mound before throwing his first big-league pitch in 19 days, Bud Norris rarely looked comfortable, and he rarely got comfortable in what became a 9-2 loss Friday to the Reds, a loss that dropped the Dodgers into a temporary first-place tie with San Francisco in the National League West.
Three batters into the game, Norris was down 3-0 after a walk to leadoff hitter Billy Hamilton, a single by one-time Dodger Ivan De Jesus Jr. and a three run homer by Joey Votto. Norris stabilized some in the second and third innings, but was knocked out in the fourth by a two-run double form opposing pitcher Tim Adleman and a bases-loaded walk by Votto.
Corey Seager's OBP is .368, the highest it's been in 2016 except after the second game of the season.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 20, 2016
The Dodgers reached base 17 times (four by Corey Seager), enough to threaten the Reds more than once, but their only run-scoring hit was Seager’s single in the seventh to cut the Reds’ lead to 6-1. Then, in the bottom of the inning, Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen drilled a ball with two runners on into the surely-you-jest stream.
It had to be a special and surreal moment for Lorenzen, whose homer was his first and came hours after he was reinstated from the bereavement list following the passing of his father.
Update: Cody Pace of MLB.com has more from Norris on his difficulties.
oldbrooklynfan
It definitely was an off night for the Dodgers as far as knocking in runs and it’s amazing that Reddick is still batting in the cleanup spot. Maybe dropping him in the order or benching him will put a spark under him.
Jerry Goldfeder
without starting pitching and cleanup hitter, no way, Kenta is a good no. 3, maybe 2and a half. dodger fan since 1953