The Los Angeles Dodgers opened their homestand with a 6-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in 11 innings, dropping back-to-back games for the first time since July 1-2. The Dodgers also fell to 3-4 in extra innings this season.
The top of the 11th began with Chris Taylor making a costly throwing error that put runners on first and second with no outs. A single by Whit Merrifield then loaded the bases, setting the stage for what was to come.
Daulton Varsho followed by hitting a sinking line drive to right field that got by Jason Heyward’s sliding attempt for a go-ahead two-run double. “That’s a tough one. I thought I could get to it. I needed to get to it,” Heyward lamented after the game.
“If I’m coaching the team, I’m telling my outfielder, ‘That’s one of those spots that when you talk about do or die, that’s the one.’ You’ve got to go for it. You don’t want to leave any chance.
“If that ball kicks off of me on wet grass because I pull up and don’t try to make the play, I’m going to be a little bit more upset than I was. But either way, I would’ve loved to be able to knock that down and keep it in front of me. Outtie did a great job backing me up, but that’s on me.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts agreed with Heyward that he had no other choice but to sell out on the play, but stopped short of placing the blame of the loss on his shoulders. “I thought it was a good ballgame,” Roberts began.
“I thought in extra innings we had a chance to get to Jackson, but we couldn’t cash in. C.T., sure-handed, but didn’t make a play right there. I thought the inning would’ve been different had he made the play. I thought Jason had a do-or-die play, and he just didn’t come up with it.
“But that’s not the reason why we didn’t win. And the guys in the ‘pen did a fantastic job.”
Jason Heyward hits 10th home run in Dodgers loss
Heyward continued his resurgent season at the plate by going 2-for-5 with a home run in the Dodgers’ loss. The blast was his 10th of the season, which is more than the veteran outfielder had for the Chicago Cubs in the past two years combined.
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