Introduction to Frustrating Loss
The Toronto Blue Jays did everything possible to hand the Dodgers a victory Sunday. Their pitchers gave up 10 hits, including two home runs. They walked 13, a season-high for the Dodgers, twice loading the bases on free passes in the final two innings. At the plate, Toronto struck out 14 times.
Refusal to Accept Gift
The Dodgers, however, refused to accept the gift, giving up an eighth-inning lead in a 5-4 loss that dropped their lead over the San Diego Padres in the National League West to two games. The Padres trailed by six games less than three weeks ago. “This is frustrating because I just felt there’s no way we should lose this game today,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “We had them on the ropes numerous times. And for us not to win is so frustrating.”
Level of Frustration
How frustrating? The Dodgers were one for 10 with runners in scoring position. They left a season-high 16 men on base — six in the last two innings. Every Dodgers starter reached base at least once. Yet they still lost. Afterward, third baseman Max Muncy insisted the black cloud had a silver lining, even if no one else could see it. “We were creating opportunities. So, you know, we were doing the first part of it,” he said. “We just weren’t cashing in today. The positive you take out of it is we found a way to create a lot of opportunities. You just have to finish the job.”
Relievers’ Failure
That goes double for the Dodger relievers. Starter Tyler Glasnow was brilliant, striking out eight and allowing just two runs over 5⅔ innings, turning a 3-2 lead over to a bullpen that had to get 10 outs. Once again they couldn’t do it, with Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia giving up three solo home runs in the span of six batters. Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow delivers against the Blue Jays in the first inning Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Associated Press)
Analysis of the Game
“You give good hitters pitches right down the middle, they’re going to do damage,” said Treinen, who came on in the eighth with a one-run lead and left five batters later trailing after back-to-back home runs by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Addison Barger. He’s not the only one who had to pay. Because after Freddie Freeman walked with the bases loaded for the second time to tie the game in the eighth, Vesia came on to start the ninth with the score even again. Ernie Clement unevened it on Vesia’s first pitch, driving an 85-mph slider over the wall in left field to put Toronto ahead. It was the 65th homer Dodgers relievers have allowed this season; only two bullpens in the majors have given up more.
Criticism of Shohei Ohtani
But the Blue Jays’ generosity knew no end, so Toronto tried to give the win back when reliever Jeff Hoffman loaded the bases with one out for Shohei Ohtani. But after fouling off two tough full-count pitches from Mason Fluharty, a left-hander with a 5.15 earned-run average and Toronto’s eighth pitcher of the day, Ohtani waved at a sweeper outside the zone to strike out. “The last thing I was thinking was he was going to strike out. … We’ve got to come up with one right there,” Roberts said. “Chasing the ball down below is something we can’t have happen.” Mookie Betts followed by grounding into a force out to end the game.
Previous Mistakes
Three innings earlier Ohtani, who had two hits, including his 41st homer of the season to run his hitting streak to a season-best nine games, was thrown out trying to steal third with two outs and Freeman at the plate, ending another Dodger threat. “That was his decision,” Roberts said. “Not a good baseball play.”
Future Games
Now the Dodgers head to Anaheim for a three-game series with the Angels before returning home to face the Padres, likely with the division lead at stake. The Dodgers have been faltering since July 1, going 15-18. San Diego has been on fire, going 21-13 over the same span. Among NL teams, only the Milwaukee Brewers have been better.
Comparison with the Padres
While San Diego has the most saves (39) and the best bullpen ERA in baseball (3.04), Dodgers relievers rank 21st (4.24). And while the Padres got better at last month’s trade deadline, making five trades that netted them reliever Mason Miller and left-hander JP Sears from Oakland, first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn and left fielder Ramón Laureano from the Orioles and catcher Freddy Fermin from the Royals, the Dodgers barely tinkered around the edges. Their major acquisition, reliever Brock Stewart, has given up six hits and two runs in 3⅔ innings. The Padres went all in. The Dodgers did not.
Conclusion
The loss to the Blue Jays was frustrating for the Dodgers, who had numerous opportunities to win but failed to capitalize on them. The team’s relievers were unable to hold the lead, and Shohei Ohtani’s mistakes were costly. The Dodgers will look to bounce back in their upcoming series against the Angels and Padres.
FAQs
Q: What was the final score of the game between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays?
A: The final score was 5-4 in favor of the Blue Jays.
Q: How many hits did the Dodgers have in the game?
A: The Dodgers had 10 hits in the game.
Q: How many runners did the Dodgers leave on base?
A: The Dodgers left 16 runners on base, a season-high.
Q: What was the decision made by Shohei Ohtani that was criticized by Dave Roberts?
A: Shohei Ohtani was thrown out trying to steal third with two outs and Freeman at the plate, ending another Dodger threat. Roberts said it was not a good baseball play.
Q: What is the current standing of the Dodgers in the National League West?
A: The Dodgers lead the San Diego Padres by two games in the National League West.
