Dodgers just miss best start in team history

By foxsports
Published

The Dodgers were two outs away from extending their winning streak to seven games Tuesday night in Milwaukee, but George Kotarras hit a two-run game-winning double for the Brewers for a 5-4 win.

That ruined what would have given the Dodgers their best start in Dodgers franchise history, tied with the 1940 and 1955 teams.

Andre Ethier hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning that gave the Dodgers a lead, and continued what has been a hot start for the two-time All-Star right fielder.

Ethier has four home runs through 11 games and leads the major leagues with 17 runs batted in, one more than teammate Matt Kemp.

Ethier also doubled on Tuesday and is hitting .310/.383/.738 on the season, providing a potent dual threat with Kemp in the middle of the Dodgers batting order.

"It's what we talked about, needing that one-two punch. If those guys can be like this all year long, it makes us a better club," manager Don Mattingly said.

NOTES, QUOTES
Ethier leads majors with 17 RBI
   --RF Andre Ethier hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning Tuesday in Milwaukee, his fourth of the season, in 11 games. In 2011, Ethier hit his fourth home run on May 8, in his 35th game. Ethier now has 17 RBI to lead the major leagues.
   --RHP Chad Billingsley, who struggled after the All-Star break with 4.4 walks per nine innings and a 4.77 ERA, has a 1.33 ERA after three starts in 2012 with one walk and 17 strikeouts.
   --RHP Matt Guerrier allowed the go-ahead run in the seventh inning in Milwaukee on Tuesday, the first time he has been scored upon this season in six appearances.
   --RHP Javy Guerra blew his first save in six opportunities on Tuesday in Milwaukee, allowing a walk-off two-run double to George Kotarras. "I'll work hard tomorrow and get back to business," Guerra tweeted after the game.
   --1B James Loney had two hits on Tuesday in Milwaukee, including an RBI double to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning. Loney, after starting his season 0-for-16, has six hits in his last 15 at-bats.
   BY THE NUMBERS: 17 -- RBI for Andre Ethier, tops in the major leagues. Ethier has driven in at least one run in nine of 11 games this season.
   QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'll work hard tomorrow and get back to business." -- RHP Javy Guerra, in a tweet after blowing his first save of the season in a 5-4 loss to Milwaukee.