The Dodgers suffered their second walk-off defeat over their last four games, as the Detroit Tigers struck for a ninth-inning rally to win 2-1.
Offense came at a premium for a second consecutive game against Detroit’s starting pitching, as the Dodgers were left scoreless over their first five innings against Keider Montero. The Dodgers had just two baserunners over that span— a 10-pitch walk to Kyle Tucker and a bloop single to left by Shohei Ohtani— but Montero kept his pitch count in a great spot
with just 60 over five innings.
Saturday was another superb start for Blake Snell, as the only trouble he faced came in the third inning. After allowing two leadoff baserunners, a Gleyber Torres ground-rule double was the lone run Detroit against the left-hander. The main issue was his inability to get quick outs, as after tossing 29 pitches over his first two innings, Snell needed 70 pitches to get his next nine outs, and his day was done after tossing 99 over five innings. Snell tied a season-high 10 strikeouts while also walking three, and in four starts since returning from the injured list, he has a 1.17 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 10 walks over 23 innings.
The Dodgers got their first extra-base hit of the weekend in the top of the sixth inning with a leadoff double by Alek Thomas— his first double as a Dodger. Shohei Ohtani moved Thomas to third on a weak ground ball to the left side of the infield, and Freddie Freeman came through once again with an RBI single to take Snell off the hook for the loss and tie the game.
Mookie Betts followed Freeman with a single of his own and a walk to Max Muncy loaded the bases with only one out. With what has been a recurring theme over this road trip, the Dodgers find a way to put men on only to do themselves in as Tommy Edman helped the Tigers initiate a 6-4-3 double play to get out of the jam.
Kyle Tucker lined a double down the left field line to begin the top of the seventh inning against left-hander Andrew Sears, but the Dodgers would leave him stranded and went down in order in the top of the eighth inning. Tommy Edman lined a single to left against Sears in the top of the ninth inning, but after 2 2/3 innings in relief, Detroit brought in old friend Kenley Jansen to get out of the jam. Teoscar Hernández sent a deep fly ball to the left-center field gap, but a running catch on the warning track by Javier Báez gave the Tigers the chance to try to walk it off.
Báez began the bottom of the ninth with a double to left field against Jack Dreyer, and a bunt from Max Clark helped move him to third. Dave Roberts decided to put Torres on intentionally to set up the double play opportunity, but Dreyer helped Yao-Hu Lee work an eight-pitch walk to load the bases. Kevin McGonigle sent a fly ball over the shallow outfield to give the Tigers the last laugh.
The Dodgers offense has mired in a lackluster struggle this week, as they are now averaging one run per game over their last three games. The Dodgers went just 1-6 with runners in scoring position while leaving six on base on Saturday, and they’re hitting just .231 as a team this weekend. Each of the five games of the this current road trip have ended in a one-run decision.
Game particulars
- WP— Kenley Jansen (4-5): 1/3 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 0 strikeouts
- LP— Jack Dreyer (5-2): 2/3 IP, 2 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks, 0 strikeouts
Up next
The Dodgers wrap things up in Detroit on Sunday (10:45 a.m. PT, SportsNet LA) before flying back home for a three-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals starting Tuesday. Framber Valdez goes for Detroit, while the Dodgers have yet to announce their starter.
