LAD@SF: Hairston ranges up the middle to get Zito
SAN FRANCISCO — Nathan Eovaldi remained winless Monday night, and this time he deserved to.
Pitching well enough to win any of his first five starts but cursed with no run support, the rookie was down by seven after two innings to the Giants, who coasted to an 8-0 win that slashed the Dodgers’ division lead to two games for the first time since April 18.
Of course, the Dodgers’ offense was again no help, failing to get a runner past second base and suffering its fourth shutout.
While Eovaldi allowed 10 hits in five innings, Giants starter Barry Zito allowed only Dee Gordon’s infield single over the first six innings and the Dodgers finished with only five hits. Zito raised his career record to 117-7 when he receives at least four runs of support, even though he was coming off three consecutive losses.
Speaking of losses, the Dodgers have six in their last seven games on this California trip and have lost most of their lead to the Giants in the process.
Eovaldi was the victim of a bleeder, a blooper and a ball off the bag, but couldn’t contain the damage in what turned into a 32-pitch, four-run first inning.
Former Dodger Ryan Theriot reached on a one-out infield single that shortstop Dee Gordon gloved, but he tumbled without a throw. Melky Cabrera blooped a single to shallow center and Angel Pagan doubled off the first-base bag for the first run. Pablo Sandoval then laced a two-run double to right. One out later, Hector Sanchez singled home Sandoval.
Eovaldi walked Zito (0-for-12 coming in) to open the second inning, and that didn’t turn out well. Gregor Blanco blooped a single and Gordon fielded Theriot’s double-play ball, stepped on second but bounced his throw to first, and runners were on the corners. Cabrera singled home Zito, Pagan singled home Theriot and Cabrera scored on Sandoval’s sacrifice fly.
Nine consecutive Giants were retired after that, but doubles by Sandoval and Sanchez added to the lead in the fifth.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
