Hawksworth’s dream debut turns into nightmare

The dream-like picture of Dodger Stadium quickly changed to a nightmare of a debut for Blake Hawksworth. It was supposed to be a feel-good movie for the Cards pitcher. Instead, it turned out to be more of a horror film with Hawksworth getting ripped in a 12-4 loss in front of 44,876.

Not exactly how the script was written.

After years in the minors battling injuries and some quality time in the St. Louis bullpen, Hawksworth finally got his chance to shine as a starter. Unfortunately, he never found a comfort zone and his first start was a forgettable one.

Hawksworth went four innings, gave up seven hits, six runs, and walked three. It was ugly from the start. Matt Kemp drove in a run on a single and Manny Ramirez plated another after grounding into a double play. He was already in a hole.

He couldn’t find the strike zone and that spells doom for any pitcher. Hawksworth threw 36 strikes in 67 pitches. Without his command, he couldn’t get the job done.

Neither could P.J. Walters who was the other option to start. He came in after Hawksworth and the score only ballooned. Walters surrendered four runs in the fifth including a three-run shot off the foul pole by Blake DeWitt. He finished the game for the Cards and had an eerily similar night as Hawksworth.

Walters pitched four innings, gave up seven hits, six runs, and walked three.

The lone bright spot for St. Louis was Ryan Ludwick. Ludwick hit two solo home runs.

Otherwise, Carlos Monasterios kept the Cards bats under control. The rookie went six innings and allowed three runs for the win. He did a good job mixing speeds to keep St. Louis off balance. Monasterios has done well for L.A. in four starts.