The Dodgers continued a trend Wednesday night, one that has seen their offense decline in June.
Los Angeles scored one run on just three hits against Tommy Milone, and the Athletics' rookie left-hander pitched a complete game while earning a 4-1 win. The Dodgers have scored just one run on five hits in two games at Oakland.
Since Matt Kemp was placed on the disabled list May 31, the Dodgers have averaged just 3.74 runs per game and have hit .233 as a team, with a .311 slugging percentage and five home runs in 19 games.
The Dodgers have managed to go 10-9 in Kemp's absence, but they are sorely missing the bat that hit .355 with 12 home runs and a .719 slugging percentage in 36 games. The team has scored two runs or fewer in nine of the 19 games without Kemp.
There is no set timetable for Kemp's return, as the Dodgers want to make sure the center fielder doesn't rush back. He was injured May 30, just one day after returning from his first stint on the disabled list this season.
The Dodgers were 9-5 during Kemp's first DL stay, but their luck without their superstar has appeared to run out.
NOTES, QUOTES
Lilly close to starting a throwing program
--LHP Ted Lilly, on the disabled list with left shoulder inflammation, could begin throwing by the end of the week, manager Don Mattingly said. Lilly hasn't thrown since May 23, the day he last pitched and five days before was placed on the disabled list.
--RHP Nathan Eovaldi allowed three runs in six innings Wednesday in Oakland, suffering his third loss of the season. Eovaldi has a 2.35 ERA in five starts, but he is 0-3 and the Dodgers have lost all five starts. He is the first Dodgers starter to allow three runs or fewer without a win in his first five starts of a season since Elmer Dessens started the 2005 season with seven such starts in a row.
--CF Matt Kemp, who has missed 33 games through Wednesday in two stints on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain, is expected to return close to the All-Star break. Dodgers trainer Sue Falsone told MLB.com that the club wants Kemp to have a rehab assignment longer than the two games he played with Class AAA Albuquerque prior to his May 29 return. He came back to play just two games with the Dodgers before re-injuring his hamstring.
--OF Tony Gwynn Jr., who hit .304 (17-for-56) in 14 games when thrust into a regular role during CF Matt Kemp's first stint on the disabled list this season, has hit just .208 (11-for-53) in 17 games since Kemp was placed on the disabled list a second time.
--INF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr. had an infield single in the seventh inning Wednesday to snap an 0-for-19 skid. Hairston, who hit .457 (16-for-35) with five extra-base hits in 11 games in May, is hitting .213 (10-for-47) with four extra-base hits in 16 games in June.
BY THE NUMBERS: 5 -- Home runs hit by the Dodgers in their last 22 games.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "For the last few days, we've kind of scuffled at the plate, but it's not for a lack of effort." -- C A.J. Ellis, to the Los Angeles Times, on the Dodgers' lack of offense.
ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--CF Matt Kemp (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 14. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Albuquerque on May 27, and he was activated May 29. He re-injured the hamstring May 30 and left the game. He went back on the 15-day disabled list May 31, and he is expected to be out until at least late June. He had resumed taking batting practice as of mid-June. He is expected to play more than two minor league rehab games before rejoining the Dodgers.
--LHP Ted Lilly (left shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 24. An MRI showed no damage, so he won't need surgery. He might resume throwing during the weekend of June 22-24.
--RHP Blake Hawksworth (arthroscopic right elbow surgeries in January 2012 and February 2012) went on the 60-day disabled list March 27. He played in an intrasquad game at the Dodgers' Arizona facility on May 24. He is scheduled to pitch in a pair of rehab games June 21 and June 22 with high Class A Rancho Cucamonga.
--RHP Javy Guerra (right knee inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 3. He underwent surgery June 5 and will be out until July.
--INF Justin Sellers (bulging lower back disk) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 23. The problem was causing him numbness in his right leg. He received a second epidural injection in early June.
--2B Mark Ellis (left leg surgery) went on the 15-day disabled list May 19. He had to have a second surgery May 21 to drain his swollen left leg, two days after having an emergency fasciotomy to relieve pressure in the leg. He was hitting off a tee in mid-June and took batting practice June 15, and he has resumed baseball activities. There is no timetable for his return.
--RHP Matt Guerrier (right elbow tendinitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 19, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 4. He threw a bullpen session May 16 and then had to rest for three days with elbow soreness. He had more elbow pain May 23, slowing his recovery again. He isn't expected to return until after the All-Star break.
--RHP Rubby De La Rosa (Tommy John surgery in August 2011) went on the 60-day disabled list March 26.
