Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
After a devastating, horrific, season-ending series loss to the Padres, the Dodgers welcomed the Reds in for a three-game set. Things … well, didn’t get much better. The bats were back to struggling, only coming alive briefly to tie the game late, but eventually falling in a 5-3 loss in extra innings.
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Julio Urias was coming off a stellar start against the Mariners, and he got off to a similarly hot start tonight, allowing a lead-off walk to the game but then retiring nine in a row. However, the 4th started with trouble as Jesse Winker singled sharply and Nicholas Castellanos poked a double down the line, both hits coming on quality swings more than mistakes. The Reds took advantage of the chance, manufacturing two runs through a Eugenio Suarez ground out and a Nick Senzel sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.
On the other side, Tyler Mahle has averaged just a hair over five innings a start this year, but when he’s been on the mound he’s been good, entering the game with a sub-2 ERA. The Dodgers lineup immediately put him in the fire in the 1st, however, loading the bases with one out due to a double and two walks. However, Mahle escaped any damage after getting Will Smith to ground into a routine double play.
Mahle then seemed to settle a bit, retiring seven in a row, but the 4th started equally ominously for him as it did Urias. Chris Taylor blooped a single and Max Muncy got hit by a pitch to set things up, but the Dodgers seemed on the verge of getting nothing out of it again. However, with two outs Gavin Lux came through with a sharp single to right to score CT3 and make it 2-1. Nothing further came out of the potential rally because of course.
The Dodgers threatened again in the 5th with a two-out rally thanks to back-to-back singles, but couldn’t push a run across then either.
Unfortunately, Urias gave the run right back in the 5th. After hitting a batter and a sacrifice bunt, Urias also walked a batter but was on the verge of getting out of it. Castellanos had other plans, lining a two-out single just out of the reach of Corey Seager for a 3-1 lead. That was the end of Urias’ night, leading to a mediocre line after late struggles: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 K, 87 Pitches.
Mitch White replaced him in the 6th, making his 2021 debut, and did a solid job. He got five outs, giving up a single and two walks, being replaced by Brusdar Graterol. After a stolen base, Graterol got out of the minor jam to keep the score intact.
Meanwhile, Lucas Sims continued to deepen the offense’s struggles, striking out the first four Dodgers he saw in relief of Mahle. Thankfully he faltered a bit, walking Austin Barnes before getting an out and being relieved. Amir Garrett was brought in for Seager, who dug out the second pitch he saw for a two-run game-tying dong to center. 3-3.
Dennis Santana then entered looking to preserve the tie, and he did just that, setting the side down in order and punctuating it with a strikeout. Scott Alexander got the 9th and secured a perfect frame of his own as he continues to get results.
Tejay Antone had the ball from the Reds on the other side, allowing a walk and hitting two batters, but not really getting in trouble during the 8th and 9th.
That sent things into extras, and the game deteriorated quickly for the Dodgers. Kenley Jansen was brought on and looked a bit cold, with Jesse Winker going the other way on a well-located but just 92 mph two-seamer for a two-run homer to make it 5-3. Kenley then issued a walk, but got out of the inning from there.
Antone then surprisingly continued in the 10th in favor of Sean Doolittle, and he got the first two outs but then walked Will Smith. That put the winning run at the plate, and Luke Raley continued his struggles with a strikeout.
The Dodgers had six hits, five walks, and were hit by three pitches. They went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
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The Dodgers fall to 15-8 and are now 1-4 in their last 5, also 2-6 in their last 8.
Tomorrow’s game will start at 4:10 PM HST/7:10 PM PST/10:10 PM EST and will feature Walker Buehler going against a seemingly rejuvenated Jeff Hoffman.
