Injuries piling up as Dodgers lose to ChiSox

[May 23, 2011]  CHICAGO (AP) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers just can't catch a break.

Andre Ethier and Rod Barajas both left the game with injuries on Sunday and Hiroki Kuroda gave up six runs and nine hits as the Chicago White Sox beat the Dodgers 8-3.

The Dodgers, who have dropped seven of their last nine games, already have eight players on the disabled list.

"It's piling up pretty good," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "We'll find out (Monday) where guys are at."

Ethier collided with the right field wall in the fourth inning on Juan Pierre's double. He stayed in the game for one more batter, but then was replaced by Tony Gwynn Jr.

He was diagnosed with a right elbow contusion, lower back contusion and sprained left toe. X-rays were negative.

Ethier was in good spirits after the game, joking with reporters about the training staff not going out to check on him. He said he expects to play Monday in Houston.

"There aren't any particular concerns for me," Ethier said. "Just wake up tomorrow morning and see what happens."

Barajas was also injured in the fourth when Pierre scored on a Paul Konerko sacrifice fly. Pierre slid feet first, catching Barajas with his spikes.

He was diagnosed with a sprained right wrist. X-rays were negative.

"Two guys going in the same direction, spikes...it's not a comfortable thing," Barajas said. "It's just the wrist bending in, that's the issue."

Barajas was replaced by backup catcher Dioner Navarro.

"Hopefully I feel better tomorrow and not worse," Barajas said. "If it feels better, it's a non-issue. If the soreness is there, we might need to check other things out."

Kuroda (5-4) was greeted by Alexei Ramirez with a two-run homer in a three-run first inning. Four of the six runs charged to Kuroda were earned.

"I didn't have my slider today so I was mislocating my pitches," Kuroda said through an interpreter. "My sinker didn't have much movement, either, so everything was on the plate."

Kuroda lasted 5 2-3 innings in the loss. He entered the game having pitched 14 2-3 consecutive scoreless innings over his last two starts.

The Dodgers activated Rafael Furcal from the 15-day disabled list after he missed 37 games because of a broken left thumb. Furcal started at shortstop and led off, but went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts and a throwing error that led to two unearned runs.

Rookie Jerry Sands, who hit his first career home run Saturday, offered the Dodgers one bright spot with a career-high four hits.

"Hits are a lot better when you're winning," he said. "I struggled a little bit my first month up here, but I'm just trying to get as many hits as I can. It's a tough league, so just get them when you can."

Ramirez added an RBI double in the third, a run-scoring single in the fourth and another RBI double in the eighth for the White Sox, who have won 11 of 15. By taking two of three games against the Dodgers over the weekend, Chicago is now 5-0-1 in its last six series.

White Sox starter Edwin Jackson (4-5) improved to 2-2 with a 2.84 ERA at home this season. Jackson went 5 2-3 innings, allowing one run on five hits, walking two and striking out seven.

Ramirez also matched a career best with four hits, the sixth time he's reached that mark. He's driven in five runs three times, most recently against Florida on May 21, 2010.

Juan Pierre added three hits for Chicago. Ramirez, Pierre and Gordon Beckham scored two runs apiece, and the White Sox had at least 10 hits for the fourth straight game.

James Loney committed a base-running mistake in the second, getting doubled off first base on a pop fly to short right field.

Thornton threw the last two innings for Chicago, earning his second save since being removed from the closer role. He blew four straight save chances earlier this season.

NOTES: White Sox OF Carlos Quentin was held out of the lineup for the second straight day because of a bruised left knee, though he was available for pinch-hitting duty. Manager Ozzie Guillen said he expects Quentin to be available when the Dodgers begin their road trip Monday at Texas. ... To make room for Furcal on the 25-man roster, the Dodgers placed INF Juan Uribe on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left hip flexor, retroactive to Friday. ... Chicago's Adam Dunn, who entered in a 2-for-26 slump that dropped his average to .190, drew three walks and hit an RBI single in the eighth. Dunn walked against lefty reliever Scott Elbert in the sixth. Dunn is 0 for 30 against left-handers this season.

[Associated Press]

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