The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Garrett Cleavinger as the corresponding move to Reyes Moronta getting optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals, and the left-hander ran into trouble due in part to a Gavin Lux error.
With the Dodgers holding onto a 3-2 lead, Cleavinger entered in the top of the eighth for only his fourth appearance of the season and first since May 14.
The inning started with Lux making a throwing error on a routine grounder that allowed Josh Bell to reach safely. That was followed by strikeouts from Nelson Cruz and Keibert Ruiz before Luis García gave the Nationals a 4-3 lead with a two-run home run.
“I mean, it happens. We’re all human and it happens,” Cleavinger said of Lux’s error. “I know 100 times out of the next chances he gets, he makes that play every time. It just happens.
“I did my best to try and pick him up, and I couldn’t finish the job. I missed one pitch and it cost us. That’s a it’s a big blow for me for not being able to get it done for these guys. That was kind of a tough one for me.”
The Nationals added a sacrifice fly and two-run double off Cleavinger in the ninth inning, and Phil Bickford allowed an inherited runner to score before managing to get the third out.
By the end of his outing, Cleavinger allowed six runs (four earned) in 1.2 innings while being credited with a blown save and a loss. The Nationals went on to win 8-3 and clinched a series victory against the Dodgers.
Gavin Lux previously atoned for error
Lux developed some throwing troubles early into his career and has largely overcome those. However, they occasionally do surface, including two prior instances this season.
For one of those, Lux made up for his throwing error by delivering his first career walk-off hit.
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