The Los Angeles Dodgers put together a five-game winning streak out of the All-Star break but have since dropped five of their last seven games after being swept by the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
The Dodgers were defeated, 8-1, by the Padres on Wednesday in a game that saw Clayton Kershaw turn in one of the worst outings of his career. L.A.’s bats were additionally silenced as they mustered just three hits in the contest.
The Dodgers have endured bouts of adversity over the years, but perhaps none more challenging than what they are facing now. “Maybe. It’s a season, so it’s a long year,” Will Smith answered when asked if the Dodgers are experiencing more adversity than last season.
“There’s going to be injuries and tough times, and good times like there’s been this year. It’s part of it. We’ll come out of it. No doubt about it. We’re the Dodgers. We know we’re the best team in baseball. We just have to start playing like it.”
The Dodgers have been shorthanded for most of the season and that was again the case in their series finale against the Padres. Freddie Freeman remains on the family emergency list, while Mookie Betts and Max Muncy are still working their way back from injury.
“Mookie, Muncy, Freddie, those are dudes that help us win ballgames,” Smith said. “So it’s tough, but we still have a really good ballclub here without those guys. Just need to play a little better and win some ballgames.”
The Dodgers’ lead over the Padres in the National League West is down to just 4.5 games but Smith isn’t concerned and believes the team just has to get back on track. “We’re still in first place in the West,” he began.
“There’s just things we’ve got to focus on individually and as a team. Just get back to playing good baseball.”
Will Smith among Dodgers struggling
Smith went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Wednesday, the fifth such game of his career and second of the Dodgers’ road trip. He also struck out three times against the Houston Astros on Saturday.
Since July 20, Smith is just 3-for-his-last-32 with no extra-base hits and 12 strikeouts (eight games).
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
