This week’s series sweep of the Dodgers (on their home field, no less) by the hated Giants could very well be the series that knocks them out of playoff contention. Although the Dodgers arrived at friendly Dodger Stadium after an extremely successful 7-3 road trip, their bats did not. But even as devastating as this 3-game series sweep was, there was a a silver lining to it in the final game of the series.

After going 0 for 16 over the last five games, Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier etched his name into the history books in the sixth inning of Wednesday night’s 8-4 loss when he hit a ground rule double over the head of Giants right fielder Hunter Pence. It was Ethier’s 30th double of the season, thus giving him his sixth consecutive season with 30 or more doubles – something that no other Dodger player, Brooklyn or Los Angeles, has ever done before.

Andre Ethier is the only Dodger in franchise history to hit 30 or more doubles in six consecutive seasons. (Video capture courtesy of KCAL 9 Sports)

Although there have been four other Dodgers to have 30 or more doubles in six seasons, none of them did so in six consecutive seasons. They are: Zack Wheat, Dixie Walker, Jackie Robinson and Steve Garvey – not bad company to be associated with, is it?

Congratulations to Andre on his historic accomplishment – it gave me a reason to hang onto my otherwise useless ticket stubs.