Joe DiMaggio’s record is still safe.
Andre Ethier came into last night riding a 30-game hitting streak, but the Mets’ pitchers, capped off by reliever Tim Byrdak, ended Ethier’s hitting streak and, with closing help from Francisco Rodriguez, kept the Dodgers’ losing streak alive and well with a 4-2 victory.
“I’m comparing this to a bad break up, which I haven’t had to do in a long time,” said Ethier, who kept his sense of humor, but went 0-for-4 with a walk to end his streak, tied for the longest since Chase Utley’s 35 straight from June 23-Aug. 3 2006.
“I thought when the streak ended this little [losing streak] we’re in would end too, but that makes it a lot tougher pill to swallow,” Ethier said.
The Dodgers — in financial turmoil due to owner Frank McCourt’s divorce, and losers of six of their last eight — haven’t had many positives of late, but Ethier’s hitting streak was the biggest. That came to an end in the eighth inning last night.
He stepped to the plate with the game in a 2-2 tie, with James Loney on first and Byrdak on the mound. After falling behind 0-2, Ethier took a pair of four-seam fastballs — first high, then outside — to even the count. But after Ethier fouled off a slider to stay alive, Byrdak fanned him with another, leaving DiMaggio’s record 56-game stretch unchallenged again.
“Right now I’m more disappointed in what we’re going through,” said Ethier, who flied out to strand three runners in the second inning. “I had an opportunity with the bases loaded to drive in a run, didn’t do it. . . . That’s frustrating.”
A last-second pitching change may have played a role in ending Ethier’s streak. He had been 12-for-29 with six homers, two doubles and 10 RBI against scheduled Mets starter Chris Young, but the big righty was a late scratch, replaced by Dillon Gee.
After drawing a first-inning walk, Ethier flew out to left to end the second and center to lead off the fifth. In the sixth, he got ahead of Mike O’Connor 3-0, but grounded weakly to second to end the inning.
“He’s been great,” said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. “Hopefully he can start another 30 [today].”