This Sunday’s game was supposed to be about one thing for the Dodgers: play clean baseball. But, well, that was asking too much.
The team faced another frustrating outing, falling 5-3 to the Arizona Diamondbacks, ending the first half of the season on a sour note.
Defensive blunders, including a dropped ball by Andy Page and an errant throw from Max Muncy, led to unearned runs that allowed Arizona to come back from an early 3-0 deficit.
A combination of uneven pitching and missed opportunities at bat meant the Dodgers only managed three hits throughout the game. They’ve now lost four out of their last five, marking their first three-game skid in a couple of months.
Reflecting on the tough week, it’s hard not to feel the frustration. Much of it, I think, comes from within the team.
The day started promisingly enough. Shohei Ohtani hit a home run right off the first pitch, and he made an impact again with a double later in the game, which was followed up with a two-run homer from Tommy Edman. Yet, that momentum just fizzled out.
On the defensive side, things just kept falling apart. After back-to-back doubles, Pages misplayed a straightforward fly ball that led to an extra run for the D-backs. Then, in the sixth inning, a walk and a passed ball set up a fresh threat. Muncy tried to throw home but ended up hitting Gerardo Perdomo, allowing the game to tie. Moments later, Ildemaro Vargas hit a homer that gave Arizona the lead.
In the ninth, Arizona cushioned their lead further with a drive from Tim Tawa.
Overall, it summed up what has been a rough week for the Dodgers.
What it means
Looking back to Tuesday’s game against the Rockies, late errors threw everything off, leaving the Dodgers with an ugly taste in their mouths. It’s concerning; after committing only 24 errors over the first 92 games, they suddenly made nine in just five games, resulting in significant runs for the opponents.
Poor pitching has also been a factor—19 walks, two hits, and some balks. On offense, they were pretty lackluster, managing just six hits in 35 opportunities with runners in scoring position.
Despite all of this, the Dodgers’ (61-36) record is still the best in the majors for the first half, and they haven’t lost their sizable lead in the National League West.
However, Roberts’ frustration was palpable even before Sunday’s game. The search for better, cleaner play will have to continue when the season resumes next Friday.
Who is hot
Shohei Ohtani had quite the day planned after the game. He was set to have his knee drained and get pain relief. Before that, he completed a solid first half, racking up 22 homers, 58 RBIs, and hitting .293 with a .952 OPS.
He’ll take some downtime for his knee but the Dodgers are hopeful he’ll soon return to form.
Who is not?
Max Muncy stands out for all the wrong reasons lately. His recent performance has been lackluster; he’s batting just .207 with only a couple of doubles in the last homestand. But defensively, things have spiraled further. Sunday marked the third consecutive game where he made an error, and he’s missed several routine plays that turned into hits.
That frustration is hard to hide, honestly.
To the next
Aside from Ohtani, the other five Dodger All-Stars, along with manager Dave Roberts and his staff, are heading to Philadelphia for the All-Star events. The Dodgers will kick off their next game next Friday, embarking on a three-city road trip against the Yankees.
