The Los Angeles Dodgers blew another lead in the ninth inning and suffered a 4-3 walk-off loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, capping off a disappointing end to the unofficial first half of the season.
The Dodgers went into the All-Star break on a two-game losing streak and have dropped nine of their last 13 contests since June 30. L.A. has been outscored 90-53 during the span.
The Dodgers’ rough patch includes being swept by the Major League-leading Philadelphia Phillies and dropping two games to the Tigers in which they carried a lead into the ninth inning.
Manager Dave Roberts discussed the team’s poor play and reiterated that they essentially have to play perfect baseball to win a game, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“It’s been difficult,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I said this a few days ago, it feels like we have to play perfect baseball. And that’s not the way it should be for us to win baseball games. But where we’re at – it’s hard putting runs across and you feel like the starting pitchers, the relievers, they have to be perfect. And that’s just hard to do. You have to play perfect defense. You can’t give away outs on the bases. And that’s a tough way to consistently win.”
Freddie Freeman, one of the leaders in the Dodgers clubhouse, isn’t hitting the panic button and said every team deals with losing stretches over the course of a season:
“People that understand in this clubhouse, there’s ebbs and flows in a season,” said first baseman Freddie Freeman, one of five Dodgers headed to the All-Star Game. “We could’ve easily swept this series. It just doesn’t go that way. It’s baseball. You just got to handle it in stride.
“We’ve been in better spots, we’ve been in worse spots. That’s how it kind of goes.”
Even with their recent woes, the Dodgers find themselves in an enviable spot as they hold a 56-41 record and seven-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres in the National League West.
The Dodgers can also expect some reinforcements in the second half as they have a slew of players working their way back from injuries. Moreover, the team is expected to be aggressive with improving their roster at the MLB trade deadline.
‘No excuse’ for Dodgers losing five-run lead against Tigers
The Dodgers entered the ninth inning against the Tigers on Saturday with a 99% win probability, but saw that evaporate when Ricky Vanasco and Evan Phillips allowed five runs to send the game to extra innings.
It was a rare collapse by the Dodgers bullpen that drew criticism from Roberts after the 11-9 loss in 10 innings.
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