The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen came undone in a five-run inning that resulted in a 5-3 elimination loss to the San Diego Padres in Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
Tyler Anderson was nothing short of impressive as he got through five scoreless innings with just two hits and two walks allowed. Both hits were two-out singles, coming in the first and second innings. Anderson retired 10 of the final 11 batters faced before giving way to the Dodgers bullpen.
He was aided by Trayce Thompson making a spectacular diving catch to rob Brandon Drury of an extra-base hit in the fourth inning. Thompson was in center field over Cody Bellinger because Dodgers manager Dave Roberts preferred the matchup with Joe Musgrove.
Chris Martin was first to appear, and he inherited a 2-0 run thanks to Freddie Freeman. One night after stating all the Dodgers needed to do was get a timely hit, Freeman provided exactly that.
Having already doubled in the first inning, he pulled a chopper down the first-base line that got by Wil Myers for a two-run extra-base hit in the third. That snapped the Dodgers’ 0-for-20 streak with runners in scoring position.
It was their third-longest stretch in the postseason, trailing an 0-for-22 span in 1966, and the 1981 team that was mired in an 0-for-25 skid.
The two runs were all Musgrove allowed as he got through six innings despite a high pitch count early in the game.
The Dodgers then found their first bit of success against the Padres bullpen in the series, buoyed by small ball. Following a Mookie Betts leadoff walk and advancement to second base on a wild pitch, Trea Turner dropped down a bunt single up the first-base line.
Freeman was then hit by a pitch to load the bases with nobody out, although the Dodgers managed just one run on Will Smith’s sacrifice fly. It was their first run scored against the Padres bullpen in the NLDS but the missed opportunity to continue adding onto the lead proved costly.
Making a back-to-back appearance, Tommy Kahnle issued a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh and didn’t retire any of the three batters faced. Yency Almonte inherited a 3-1 lead and promptly allowed back-to-back hits that tied the game.
Almonte nearly got out of the jam with the game still tied but was replaced by Alex Vesia after throwing one pitch to Jake Cronenworth. Vesia also wasn’t sharp and allowed the game-winning two-run base hit to Cronenworth.
Dodgers history when trailing 2-1 in NLDS
The Dodgers overcame a 2-1 deficit in the NLDS last year and have done so a total of three times in franchise history.
They failed to make it a fourth time and now head into a disappointing offseason after setting a franchise record with 111 wins.
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