Mookie Betts got the Los Angeles Dodgers off to a thunderous start but endured more struggles and suffered a 6-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in 11 innings. L.A. has lost three consecutive games in a row for a second time, with both stretches coming this week.
Their current skid may have come at a significant cost, however, as Dustin May exited early due to injury.
Back in the lineup after a scheduled night off, Betts ambushed the first pitch from Brandon Woodruff for a home run to center field. It extended Betts’ on-base streak to 23 consecutive games, which is the longest active stretch in the Majors.
The Dodgers got to Woodruff again in the third inning when Corey Seager drove Betts in with a triple to center field. L.A. managed a total of six hits off Woodruff over six innings but again struggled to capitalize on their opportunities.
That put further stress on what turned into a second straight bullpen game for the Dodgers. May worked a clean first inning and was looking to limit the damage in the second to a game-tying home run from Luis Urias.
However, after throwing a 92 mph fastball out of the zone, May immediately signaled to the Dodgers dugout. Manager Dave Roberts and a trainer rushed to the mound to check on May, who took multiple deep breaths before coming out. The Dodgers’ initial report was he sustained a right arm injury.
Garrett Cleavinger worked himself in and out of a bases-loaded jam after replacing May in the second inning. Travis Shaw’s second solo home run of the series then tied the game in the third.
It remained that way until the 10th inning when Justin Turner delivered a go-ahead RBI single. With the Dodgers out of position players and Kenley Jansen due up, the Brewers intentionally walked Max Muncy to load the bases.
L.A. countered with pinch-hitting Clayton Kershaw, who struck out. AJ Pollock then hit back to the box to end the inning. Scoring just the one run cost the Dodgers as Alex Vesia struggled in his debut with the team.
Vesia walked the bases loaded and saw the tying run score on a sacrifice fly to left field. Pollock may have had a chance at a game-ending double play but his throw sailed well up the first-base line.
The Dodgers pulled ahead again in the 11th as Will Smith delivered a two-run triple. But Vesia again struggled to throw strikes, walking the bases loaded for a second consecutive inning. That led to Mitch White taking over but he was unable to keep the Brewers at bay.
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