The Los Angeles Dodgers began their series against the Cleveland Guardians, looking to improve on their perfect 3-0 start to the season, but they were unable to do so, taking their first loss of the year.

The Dodgers entered with two questions they still need to answer. Even with their record, the offense has not been consistent, and they have been carried by a few big innings and clutch hits.

Getting more production will be key for this group, and that question was not answered in this one.

The Dodgers also handed the ball to Roki Sasaki for the start. The club has high expectations for him in the long term, but he’s still developing his ability and has a lot to prove this season.

No one knew what to expect from the right-hander, but he gave the team some confidence moving forward.

Dodgers 2, Guardians 4 – Key Takeaways:

Roki Sasaki makes season debut

Sasaki had a rough Spring Training, which made expectations low for him coming into this game. But the right-hander managed to turn in a solid start, all things considered, and gave something to build on moving forward.

Sasaki went 4+ innings, allowing just one run on four hits with four strikeouts and only two walks. He still struggled with his command at times and threw too many poor pitches, but he was able to limit it rather than letting it spiral out of control.

The one run he allowed highlighted part of his issues, though. After getting Austin Hedges into an 0-2 count, Sasaki left a fastball over the middle of the plate, which was hit for a double. Hedges ended up scoring on another double from Steven Kwan.

Sasaki was allowed to pitch into the fifth inning, but allowed a leadoff single before being taken out of the game for Tanner Scott.

Dodgers offense struggles to find consistency/h2>

Continuing a trend to start the season, the Dodgers fell behind in the game after their offense was quiet for the first six innings. The club tallied just five hits, and on their best chance to score, Miguel Rojas was picked off at second base with two on and no one out.

The Dodgers also had a chance to score in the seventh inning with two runners on, but left them stranded. It wasn’t until the ninth inning when the Dodgers scored, which came after some help from the Cleveland defense.

Tucker reached on a misplayed ground ball and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Mookie Betts then lined a double to plate the run, and he scored on a groundout from Freddie Freeman.

The Dodgers have trailed by multiple runs in each of their first four games this season.

Dodgers bullpen falters for first time

For the first time this season, a Dodgers reliever allowed a run, and it came in a set of three. The Dodgers bullpen threw 13.2 consecutive scoreless innings to open the year, but Justin Wrobleski gave up a three-spot in the seventh inning that put the Dodgers behind 4-0.

The left-hander pitched a scoreless sixth, but then allowed three straight singles to open the seventh. With two outs, Wrobleski issued a run-scoring walk before Daniel Schneemann drove in two more with a double.

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