Coming off an easy win behind a dominant performance from Walker Buehler in the series opener the Los Angeles Dodgers again took an early lead on the Arizona Diamondbacks, but failed to protect it and suffered a 5-3 loss.
The Dodgers outhit the Diamondbacks, nine to four, but also went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Each of those came after Will Smith cleared the bases with a three-run triple in the first inning.
After the first, the Dodgers had at least one baserunner in the second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings. However, they tied a franchise record by hitting into five double plays.
Following the loss, manager Dave Roberts characterized the game as one the Dodgers beat themselves in, via SportsNet LA:
“I think it’s the first one in quite some time that I felt we gave it away. Had opportunities, couldn’t capitalize. I don’t know if it was four or five double plays, got a lead early, gave it back and couldn’t tack on runs late.”
Of the double plays, one the most costly came in the second inning after Chris Taylor and Gavin Lux hit back-to-back singles and a fly ball put runners at the corners. Freddie Freeman uncharacteristically was unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
Then in the seventh inning, Taylor was on second base when he misread a line drive off Mookie Betts’ bat and ran into a double play. The blunder was Taylor’s second of the current road trip, though Roberts defended his attempt to tag up in an extra-innings loss to the San Diego Padres.
The Dodgers nevertheless had a golden opportunity in the eighth, only for Smith to fail to replicate his prior success with the bases loaded as he grounded into an inning-ending double play.
In addition to stranding a bevy of baserunners, the Dodgers were hurt by Lux’s throwing error that resulted in two runs scoring and the Diamondbacks eventually tying the game in the third inning.
Lux and Taylor both took blame for their miscues.
Break down of Dodgers wins in series
The matchup at Chase Field is the Dodgers’ fourth three-game series of the season. They are 4-0 in the first game, but have lost the ensuing meeting all four times. L.A. enters the rubber match Wednesday afternoon with a 2-1 record in finales of a three-game set.
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