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By Jon Weisman
The last two times Chase Utley has played in a Dodger game, he has been on the losing end of a no-hitter.
First was May 25, 2014, when Utley made the final out in Josh Beckett’s no-hitter against the Phillies. Then came tonight.
In his first game with his new team, Utley grounded out to the right side three times and flied out once, though that made him only one of nine players who failed to record a single, double, triple or home run against Houston’s Mike Fiers. That’s the long way of saying that the Dodgers were no-hit for the first time since June 8, 2012, when five Seattle relievers (including Brandon League) finished up the final three no-hit innings for injured starter Kevin Milwood.
Final score: Houston 3, Los Angeles 0.
Three Dodgers walked: Justin Turner with two out in the first inning, Andre Ethier to start the second and Joc Pederson to begin the third. None reached second base, and Fiers retired 21 in a row after Pederson’s base on balls.
Houston left an equal number of baserunners and went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, but two home runs — by Jake Marisnick with Chris Carter on first base in the second inning, and a solo shot by Evan Gattis in the sixth — prevented the Dodgers from extending their bid for a hit to extra innings.
On his 120th pitch, Fiers got his fifth consecutive strikeout to end the eighth inning. Fiers’ previous career high for pitches in a game was 113.
In the ninth, Jimmy Rollins hit Fiers’ 126th pitch to the warning track in right field for the Dodgers’ loudest out of the night. Utley hit the 129th pitch for another fly to right. And on a 2-2 fastball that was his 134th pitch, Turner swung and missed.
In their past two games, the Dodgers are 2 for 56 with a double, homer and five walks.
Entering tonight, Fiers had allowed 134 hits in 135 innings in 2015 with Milwaukee and Houston. The Astros acquired him on July 30.
The last time the Dodgers were no-hit in Houston, by Nolan Ryan on September 26, 1981, they won a World Series a month later.
dembums55
John, I love your posts for countless reasons; however, the main reason is that I read it is because you’re so optimistic and I am an eternal pessimist. I know tonight is just one game and no-nos happen, but I don’t know how a positive spin can be put on the state of this team right now. I really need your help!
Jon Weisman
I have never felt I was an optimist as much as a realist. In this case, for example, it’s unrealistic to assume that a first-place team is doomed because of one game (no-hitter) or three games (current losing streak). But clearly on social media, I’m in the minority.
People often equate pessimism with realism, and that’s very often is a false equation.
dembums55
I agree a no-hitter is not indicative of much else than a bad day at the dish. The lack of ability to produce runs consistently without relying on the home run, however, is much more foreboding.
And yes, you’re more realist than optimist, which is always refreshing!
mlblogscatlovesthedodgers
I’m glad you are an optimist because it actually is grounding me. Your comment about the Dodgers winning the World Series a month after being on the receiving end of a no-hitter was the best. You are the best.
Mark Hagerstrom
Yesterday’s optimists, those who thought that the Dodgers could sustain the 5.4 R/G during the first month and a half, are today’s pessimists because the Dodgers haven’t.