My arm feels good and strong and extended. I’ll try to go out there and help us not miss a beat.”
ā Dodger pitcher Chris Capuano
That was before the game against the Padres on Tuesday night at the Ravine.
Unfortunately, Capuano got off to a lousy start filling in for injured ace Zack Greinke. He gave up four runs in the first inning, and seeing as how the Dodgers seem incapable of scoring these days, that was more than enough to set the boys in blue down before Vin Scully had cleared his throat.
Games like that kill me. Most people hadn’t even taken their expensive Guggenheim seats before it was all over.
I like Capuano. He was pretty solid for us last year. This season, the team started with such a plethora of starters that they traded Aaron Harang and put Cappy and Ted Lilly in the bullpen. Capuano made two scoreless relief appearances before being called on to sub for Greinke.
How quickly a plethora can turn into a dearth.
Capuano strained a calf muscle during this debacle (the Dodgers’ third loss in a row) and, tada!, just like that, the Dodgers’ pitching hopes rest squarely on Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley, just like last year and the year before.