Oswalt Struggles, Phillies Lose to Dodgers

Rubby De La Rosa pitched five effective innings in his first career start and Dee Gordon had three hits in his first start, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Phillies 6-2 Tuesday night.

Oswalt (3-4) lost his fourth straight decision. He allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings to remain winless since April 21.

The three-time All-Star has pitched well enough to get some wins, but he's not getting much help from the offense. The Phillies have scored two runs or less in each of his last six starts. He's allowed more than two runs just twice in 10 starts and has a 3.05 ERA.

"It's not as easy at it looks," Oswalt said. "I think a lot of the games I've been in, I put my team in a position to win. I've been through this before. I just have to go out and battle."

Oswalt was just 6-12 despite a 3.42 ERA with the Astros last season before the Phillies acquired him in a trade July 29.

De La Rosa (2-0) allowed one run, constantly having to pitch out of trouble because he walked five and gave up four hits.

Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer for the Dodgers, who've won six of nine.

The NL East-leading Phillies have lost five of seven.

"We didn't deserve to win the game," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We've got to play better."

Gordon, the son of former major league pitcher Tom Gordon, made his major league debut as a pinch runner and scored in the ninth in a loss Monday night. The speedy shortstop got some advice from one of his childhood heroes before the game, Jimmy Rollins. Then he went out and played like the old J-Roll, the 2007 NL MVP.

With his dad watching from a front-row seat behind the Dodgers dugout, Gordon led off the game with a single and singled in his next two at-bats. He scored a run, stole a base and finished 3 for 5.

De La Rosa, who had control issues on the mound, got the Dodgers started in the third with a walk. After Gordon singled, Casey Blake's RBI single gave Los Angeles a 2-1 lead. Gordon scored when Oswalt's pickoff throw to first sailed wide for an error. Andre Ethier followed with an RBI single to make it 4-1.

Ethier saved a run when he threw out Raul Ibanez trying to score from second on Wilson Valdez's single to right in the third.

The Phillies got within 4-2 on Chase Utley's RBI triple off Scott Elbert in the seventh.

Kemp connected off Michael Stutes in the eighth, hitting an opposite-field shot to right. Kemp is tied with Cincinnati's Jay Bruce for the NL lead with 17 homers. He finished the game leading the league with 50 RBIs.

Dioner Navarro's RBI single in the second gave Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. Kemp led off with a double. He should've been doubled off second when Juan Uribe lined out to second baseman Utley, but his throw to shortstop Valdez was wide. After James Loney walked, Navarro lined a hit to left.

The Phillies loaded the bases in the bottom half on two walks and a single. After Oswalt struck out, Shane Victorino grounded into a fielder's choice back to the mound. But De La Rosa walked Placido Polanco to force in a run.

Rollins missed his third straight start with a bruised right knee, but lined out as a pinch hitter in the ninth.

Notes: Former Phillies closer Brad Lidge got good news on his injured elbow after being examined by the team physician. Lidge has no serious damage and received a cortisone shot. Lidge has been sidelined all season, but hopes to return around the All-Star break. ... A crowd of 44,721 was the 167th straight sellout at Citizens Bank Park, including the postseason. ... Kemp was 0 for 8 against Oswalt before he hit a double. ... A teenage girl made the defensive play of the night, reaching over the railing in the second deck to catch a foul ball with her left-handed glove in the top of the ninth. ... The Phillies have not hit a homer in the last six games.


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