Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
With the first two games of this much-hyped series somehow managing to surpass expectations, the finale was also anticipated with another marquee matchup on tap. It did deliver a tight affair, if not one that lacked the same tensions for most of it. In the end, a mistimed season debut and a late error cost the Dodgers in a 5-2 loss to the Padres that ended their eight-game win streak.
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The last time we saw Blake Snell, he was getting removed in the World Series clinching Game 6, and he came to the Padres wanting to pitch deeper into games. Well, things haven’t worked out quite like that, as after this afternoon’s game he’s still averaging just a tick more than 3.2 innings a start.
After a perfect 1st frame, things went south quickly in the 2nd as Snell allowed a single to Will Smith and then Chris Taylor ambushed a first-pitch fastball on the outer half, yanking it into the second deck in left for a 2-0 lead.
The Dodgers got two walks in the 3rd but couldn’t add, but that was all they got against Snell. However, they did make him work a ton, and he exited after five frames with the meme of him not being able to get through six innings continuing on strong as ever.
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) April 18, 2021
Trevor Bauer, meanwhile, allowed just three hits and a walk in six innings. The only runner that passed second base against him was Jake Cronenworth, who missiled a ball into the right-field stands for a solo shot.
Regardless, he was in control his whole outing, posting an impressive final line: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K, 98 Pitches.
Brusdar Graterol made his season debut in the 7th, an interesting spot for Dave Roberts to throw him into. He was greeted rudely, giving up a single to Manny Machado, uncorking a wild pitch that Smith probably should’ve had, and then giving up a double to Eric Hosmer to tie the game at 1-1. He did rebound with two outs, but then issued a walk and generally labored through the outing.
Scott Alexander relieved him and got his man by inducing a ground out to escape trouble. He continued in the 8th and things started shakily after a routine grounder hit to Corey Seager resulted in a throwing error that allowed the lead-off man to reach. He then rebounded with a infield pop before being relieved.
Dennis Santana entered and issued a walk to put the go-ahead run in scoring position. He rebounded with a fly out, but then gave up a single to Hosmer to plate a run and make it 3-2. Tommy Pham followed with a double to left to plate two more and make it 5-2 before Santana could get out of it. All three runs were unearned on Seager’s error.
Austin Adams, Craig Stammen, Keone Kela, and Mark Melancon locked down the Dodgers in the meantime, with the lineup only being able to muster a single against Kela.
Tough day for the bats.
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Justin Turner had a mess.
Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser discuss memes.
It’s both ways, so this is not whining about the Dodgers getting screwed, it’s just that the umpires have been so damn bad this year.
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The Dodgers are now 13-3 with the loss.
The team will now travel to Seattle for a quick two-game set with the Mariners starting tomorrow at 4:10 PM HST/7:10 PM PST/10:10 PM EST. Dustin May will look to continue his improved swing-and-miss ways against Justus Sheffield.
