After the Los Angeles Dodgers were swept by the San Diego Padres in a doubleheader, manager Dave Roberts said his team “would be just fine.” The Dodgers then went out Sunday and dropped another to the Padres, giving them eight losses in their last nine games.
Labor Day didn’t bring any sort of reprieve for the skidding National League West leaders. J.D. Martinez tied an MLB record with four home runs and led the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 13-0 rout at Dodger Stadium.
Robbie Ray was equally as dominant on the mound, striking out 14 and allowing just three hits over 7.2 shutout innings. Ray became the first pitcher with double-digit strikeouts in four games against the Dodgers in a single season.
“I just feel that you just gotta keep playing. It’s not from lack of effort,” Roberts said following his club’s latest loss.
“We’re doing the same thing we’ve been doing all year, but the results are different. We got a very good pitching outing from Rich (Hill) tonight and their guy pitched even better.”
While those outside the organization may have already pressed the panic button, Roberts has not reached that stage. He did concede it’s plausible a skid could span long enough that it begins to affect the team’s mentality and outlook.
“I think there is a point (losing will change mentality),” Roberts said. “I know we’re not there yet and like I’ve said from the beginning, as long as we play the right way and compete, I’ll bet on our guys. We’re still doing that.”
Monday’s loss was the Dodgers’ third in a row and ninth in the past 10 games. They’ve already dropped three straight series for the first time this season. Over the last 11 days their lead over the Diamondbacks has trimmed from 21 to 12.5 games.
“I don’t think there’s anything I say do to soothe fans and their passion,” Roberts said. “Each and every night is Game 7. But I can assure you we’re going to win a game again, I know that. The tide will turn.”
