Oswalt Struggles, Offense Sputters in Loss

Roy Oswalt had one terrible inning and didn’t have his normally reliable stuff as he took his fourth loss of the season as the Phillies loss to the Dodgers 6-2 Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park.

Oswalt (3-4) allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings while striking out just one to remain winless since April 21. The righty unraveled in the third walking the pitcher and throwing away a pick-off attempt while allowing three runs.

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.”

The veteran Phils were outdone by a duo of L.A. rookies Tuesday.

With his father watching from a front-row seat and his childhood hero in the opposite dugout, Dee Gordon made his first career start a memorable one.

So did Rubby De La Rosa.

Gordon had three hits and De La Rosa pitched five effective innings for the Dodgers.

“It's a great feeling,” said Gordon, the speedy shortstop and son of former Phillies reliever Tom Gordon.

Gordon used to hang out in the Phillies clubhouse when his father played here from 2006-08. He made his major league debut as a pinch runner and scored in the ninth in a loss Monday night.

Gordon got some advice before the game from Jimmy Rollins. Then he went out and played like the old J-Roll, the 2007 NL MVP.

“He just told me to play hard, go up there and believe in yourself,” Gordon said. “That's all I can do. It's fun to go out there and compete.”

With his dad sitting 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.

“It was nice for him to get out of the gate with a couple hits,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “He's going to be exciting. He's a guy that's fun to watch.”

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

The young righty had made three relief appearances before getting his first start. He settled in after battling control issues in the early innings.

The Phillies loaded the bases in the bottom half of the second 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.

The Phillies send Cole Hamels (7-2, 2.83 ERA) to the mound Monday in the rubber game of the series. The Dodgers counter with righty Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 3.46).

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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