LOS ANGELES — Mookie Betts started the game with a single to center field, the ball deflecting off Ross Stripling, an unaccomplished rookie making a spot start.

Brock Holt followed with a line drive to center and the Red Sox were poised to jump ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday afternoon.

Xander Bogaerts saw seven pitches before ultimately striking out swinging at a curveball. Then David Ortiz, who was making a rare appearance as a first baseman, grounded out.

Jackie Bradley Jr. drew a walk to extend the inning. But Sandy Leon, batting sixth for the first time in his career, tapped back to the mound and the inning was over.

That represented the best chance the Sox had to score all day as they fell, 3-0, before a crowd of 47,696 at Dodger Stadium.

“I wouldn’t say that was the game. But it was a big momentum killer,’’ Betts said. “It’s a different game even if we just get one run. That was tough.’’

The Red Sox played one of their best games of the season Friday night, beating the Dodgers, 9-0, behind Steven Wright. But they were lethargic Saturday, playing with little sense of purpose.

The Sox had five hits, all singles, and struck out 11 times.

“We just didn’t get it done today,’’ Bogaerts said. “I don’t know what it is sometimes.’’

It’s a trend is what it is. The Sox are 11-11 since the All-Star break and scored three or fewer runs in 10 of those games.

The Sox have three hits in their last 21 at-bats with the bases loaded. Saturday was the second time in three games they left the bases loaded in the first inning.

“Bases loaded has somewhat been our nemesis even though it’s a good offensive situation,’’ manager John Farrell said.

The Sox are 5-5 on a road trip that ends Sunday afternoon with David Price facing Brandon McCarthy.

Stripling had not started a major league game since May 19. Yet he gave the Dodgers five scoreless innings. Lefthander Grant Dayton, a 28-year-old who was pitching in his second major league game, blanked the Sox for the next two innings.

By the time the Dodgers called in overpowering Kenley Jansen to close in the ninth, he struck out Bradley, Leon, and Travis Shaw swinging.

Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez, sharp in four starts since returning from the minors, was careless Saturday and lasted only 4⅓ innings, giving up three runs on eight hits.

Rodriguez handed the Dodgers a run in the second inning.

Adrian Gonzalez and Enrique Hernandez started the inning with singles. Rodriguez got Josh Reddick on a fly ball to center then struck out Scott Van Slyke.

Rodriguez was instructed to pitch around A.J. Ellis with the pitcher on deck, standard rules of engagement in a National League park.

Rodriguez dutifully threw three straight pitches out of the strike zone. The fourth pitch was wide, too, but umpire Chad Whitson called it a strike to the surprise of everyone on the field.

For whatever reason, Rodriguez followed with a 3-and-1 changeup. It was over the plate and Ellis slapped it to left field for an RBI single.

Stripling, predictably, struck out to end the inning.

“That changeup was right over the middle,’’ said Rodriguez, who was trying to bounce the ball and walk Ellis. “It was bad.’’

Pinch hitter Chris Taylor led off the fifth inning with a single for the Dodgers. Rodriguez then walked Howie Kendrick on five pitches before Kyle Seager lined a double to right field.

Betts was quick getting to the ball and Kendrick stopped at third. With the infield in, Justin Turner grounded to shortstop. Bogaerts held the runner and made the throw to Ortiz.

Gonzalez was next and he dropped a bloop single into center.

That ended the day for Rodriguez after 88 pitches. Matt Barnes, Robbie Ross Jr., and Clay Buchholz held the Dodgers scoreless for the final 3⅔ innings but the Sox could not cut into the deficit.

Other than the first inning, the Sox advanced one runner into scoring position. That came with two outs in the third inning. Ortiz ended the inning with a fly ball deep to left field.

The Sox were 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position. They are 10 of 60 (.167) on the road trip.

In his first game at first base since last Aug 30, Ortiz was 0 for 3 before leaving the game after the fifth inning with what Farrell described as “general stiffness.’’

“I’ll be fine,’’ said Ortiz, who is 4 for 30 on the trip and 6 of his last 44. Even he has played a role in the Sox struggling for offensive consistency.

Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.