The Los Angeles Dodgers received a mere four innings from Rich Hill on Saturday, and were said to be without closer Kenley Jansen. Working in the Dodgers’ favor was a bullpen that’s been among the best in baseball this season.
Hill exited with the Brewers holding a 3-2 lead; two of the three runs he allowed were earned. The Dodgers clawed their way to a 4-3 lead by pushing across two runs in the sixth inning. Chris Hatcher protected the lead in the bottom of the sixth.
However, he returned to the mound for a second inning of work, and the wheels came off. Hatcher was removed with one out and the bases loaded.
He’d issued a leadoff walk, put Domingo Santana on board with one out, then balked both runners into scoring position. Josh Fields entered and promptly allowed a grand slam followed by a solo home run.
The Brewers had stormed to an 8-5 lead in the blink of an eye. Los Angeles managed to cut their deficit to two runs on Yasiel Puig’s fielder’s choice in the eighth inning. Fittingly, it was Chris Taylor who scored the run after doubling earlier in the inning.
Corey Knebel blew the save opportunity the night prior, which meant Carlos Torres had an opportunity to close out the game.
He walked Corey Seager with one out in the ninth, then was hurt by Jesus Aguilar’s attempt to get an out at second base after fielding a soft grounder. Both runners were safe, and Austin Barnes’ pinch-hit single loaded the bases.
After Cody Bellinger walked on a full count to bring a run in, Chris Taylor drove a grand slam to the batter’s eye in straightaway center field. The grand slam was Taylor’s second this season and third of his career; each has come with the Dodgers.
The home run was Taylor’s seventh this season. He leads the team with a .985 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.
Jansen shut the door on the Brewers in the bottom of the ninth to earn a save in the Dodgers’ 10-8 victory.
