The Dodgers (31-20) had plenty of scoring opportunities and base runners, but the offense failed to come up with a timely hit in the 5-1 loss to the Brewers (30-18) Friday night. Justin Wrobleski struggled in a four-run first, but the bigger issue was the offense’s inability to cash in base runners.
The team went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base. They went 1-for-17 with runners on base. Leaving that many ducks on the pond made it incredibly difficult to mount a comeback
and dig out of the early deficit.
The Brewers’ relentless offense was on full display in the first. Perhaps it was driven by a bit of revenge. The pesky Brewers offense looked loaded and ready for the rematch of last year’s National League Championship Series in the series opener between the two first-place teams.
The Brewers attacked Wrobleski in the bottom of the first inning and put up four runs on the board. Wrobleski struggled mightily and made 38 pitches. He allowed six hits and a walk including a huge three-run shot by William Contreras.
Wrobleski only allowed three home runs to the opposition all season before Contreras launched the three-run home run in the home half of the first. Contreras attacked the first pitch he saw from Wrobleski, a 89-mph slider.
It felt like the inning would never come to the close as the Milwaukee offense continued the lengthy onslaught.
A two-out RBI double to center field from Andrew Vaughn in the second inning gave the Brewers a commanding 5-0 lead.
Wrobleski finally put together a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the third. The Dodgers also finally started to figure out Henderson the second time through the order.
Ohtani continued to look better at the plate, and his leadoff single against Henderson in the top of the fourth was the first base hit of the night for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers loaded the bases with two outs for Muncy in the top of the fourth. They had the perfect opportunity to get back into the game. Muncy popped up a changeup to leave the bases loaded and keep the shutout intact for the Brewers.
The rookie Logan Henderson struck out five Dodgers in the first three innings. Henderson capped off five scoreless innings in his first career start against the Dodgers with a strikeout of Ohtani.
Surprisingly, Wrobleski made it through five despite facing 10 batters in that long first frame. Henderson was done for the night after five innings as well.
Muncy’s struggles with runners in scoring position continued. He came into the game hitting .167 with runners in scoring position, and he stranded another three runners on the night.
The Dodgers collected five walks through 5 1/3 innings, but the bats couldn’t get the big hit to cash in on any of the free passes. Muncy failed to come through with another two runners on base and two outs in the sixth, but he again stranded runners.
The Dodgers once again got the leadoff hitter on in the seventh. Teoscar Hernandez walked, and Dalton Rushing singled for the Dodgers first hit with men on. Rushing’s hit broke an 0-for-19 stretch for the catcher.
Pinch-hitter Miguel Rojas moves Hernandez to third on a flyout. Pat Murphy chose to go to Aaron Ashby to face Ohtani with two on and one out.
The Dodgers finally got on the board on an Ohtani sac fly. Betts nearly extended the inning, but Vaughn stretched and won the challenge at first by a toe nail.
Muncy had to leave the game after being hit by a pitch on his right arm by a 95-mph Ashby sinker to add to his frustrations.
Jonathan Hernández, the 29-year old the Dodgers signed on Monday, was in for his Dodger debut in the bottom of the eighth. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning, and the bullpen continued to roll on with their scoreless streak.
The Dodgers look to come back strong in the second game of the series after they stranded a small army of base runners in the series opener. Muncy’s inability to capitalize on the scoring opportunities is frustrating, but an injury to Muncy right now would be a huge blow.
Friday particulars
Home runs: William Contreras (4)
WP — Logan Henderson (2-1): 5 IP, no runs, 2 hits, 3 walks, 7 strikeouts (85 pitches)
LP — Justin Wrobleski (6-2): 5 IP, 5 runs, 8 hits, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts (100 pitches)
Up next
Roki Sasaki (2-3, 5.09 ERA, 1.45 WHIP) takes the hill for the second game of the series Saturday (4:15 p.m., FOX). Left-hander Robert Gasser (0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1.250 WHIP) starts for Milwaukee.
