video thumbnail

MIL@LAD: Kershaw strikes out seven in defeat

The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner looks to bounce back from two straight losses, while another 24-year-old starter anxiously awaits his return to the mound after missing more than three weeks.

That's the pitching matchup Monday at Citizens Bank Park, as Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw (4-3, 2.92 ERA) is set to face off against the Phillies and right-hander Vance Worley (3-2, 3.07), who is returning from a stay on the disabled list. Both teams are also coming off losses on Sunday.

In his last outing, against the Brewers on Wednesday, Kershaw allowed a season-worst five runs on eight hits with four walks in just 5 2/3 innings.

"It was frustrating," Kershaw said after the start. "I threw a lot of pitches and couldn't put anybody away, and they had really good at-bats all night. It was just a rough night."

Worley is just anxious to get back on the mound. He's been on the DL since May 12 with right elbow inflammation and a bone chip. He threw bullpen sessions on Tuesday and Friday, after which he said he felt fine.

"Everything was coming out the way it should," he said.

Worley's return comes at a good time for Philadelphia. The hurler slips right into the rotation spot vacated by the injured Roy Halladay.

Dodgers: Gordon returns to leadoff spot
Though Dee Gordon hit leadoff in most of the games during the Dodgers' hot start to the season, manager Don Mattingly experimented with three different leadoff hitters before re-inserting Gordon into the spot on Sunday.

Gordon, who is batting .223 on the season, went 1-for-4 in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Rockies.

"I always want to get him back there," Mattingly said. "To my eye, it seemed like the last couple weeks, he's looked pretty good. But I didn't want to just go by that, so I looked at his numbers, and he's really been better. He's been over .300 the last 10 days. His on-base [percentage] has been up. I think it gives him so much more freedom. If he can be that guy up at the top, it gives us a better balance, better offense."

Phillies: Utley heads to Clearwater, Fla.
Second baseman Chase Utley said after Sunday's loss that he would be heading to Clearwater, Fla., to start playing in extended spring training games. This marks a step in the right direction of his rehab, though Utley could not offer a timetable for his return to the Phillies.

Utley started the season on the disabled list with chondromalacia in his left knee. He had been rehabbing with the Phillies, taking batting practice and some ground balls.

"I'll be there [Monday] to kind of further my baseball activities," he said. "So I'm excited about it. I made some strides over the past few months, and I'm ready to take the next step."

• With Worley's activation made official after Sunday's game, catcher Erik Kratz was optioned back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Worth noting
• Kershaw has not pitched well against the Phillies in his career. The lefty is 0-4 with a 5.18 in six career starts.

• Worley has started just once against the Dodgers in his career, allowing six runs in four innings in a no-decision.

• The Phillies are still waiting on the results of Halladay's second opinion from Mets physician David Altcheck. Halladay is on the 15-day DL with a strained latissimus dorsi.

• Phillies left fielder Juan Pierre needs only one run to become the 30th player in Major League Baseball history with at least 2,000 hits, 1,000 runs and 500 stolen bases, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

• Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, who went back on the 15-day DL on Thursday with a strained left hamstring, will join the club on its trip to Philadelphia to begin the rehabilitation process.

MLB.com Comments