Game 4 was one of the most thrilling World Series games of all-time but for the Los Angeles Dodgers it amounted to a walk-off loss to the Tampa Bay Rays that allowed them to avoided a dreaded 3-1 deficit.
The Dodgers jumped out to an early lead, although the Rays continued to fight back to stay in the game. And every time the Rays scored late, the Dodgers answered right back until they just ran out of time in the ninth inning.
There were so many turning points in the game that it is hard to pick one as the reason for the loss. Nevertheless, a key moment came in the fifth inning as a poor call by the second-base umpire ended a Dodgers rally.
Max Muncy came up with a big two-out single to drive home Corey Seager, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1. Muncy attempted to take second on the throw home and slid in safely, although he was then dragged off the base after colliding with Rays shortstop Willy Adames, where he was then tagged out to end the inning.
Upon watching the replay, it was clear what had just happened and that Muncy should have been safe, although according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, he was not able to challenge the play.
“That’s just a judgement call. They felt that Adames didn’t pull him off the bag, so as they kind of fell together, called him out,” Roberts explained. “That’s not reviewable.”
The Dodgers were unable to hold three separate leads after that play, so again, it was not the reason for the loss. It’s hard not to think about how much more damage could have been done that inning if Muncy was safe and if Will Smith got a chance to drive him in.
Roberts says Dodgers must regroup ahead of Game 5
Instead of asking “what if?” and sulking about the Game 4 loss, Roberts is keeping his team focused on what is ahead.
“It’s a tough one. It’s tough and we’ve got to digest it, but we’ve got to turn the page,” he said. “Now it’s a three-game series. We’ve got Clayton going and our focus has to turn to win [Sunday].”
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