The Los Angeles Dodgers fell into an early deficit and never recovered in a 5-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Returning to Dodger Stadium from a successful road trip has not been kind to L.A., who lost their first series since May 7-9.
Clayton Kershaw’s career success did not carry into Sunday, as he labored through six innings without any run support to help lift some of the burden.
Like they did to Julio Urias the day prior, the Giants opened the game with back-to-back hits. A wild pitch allowed both runners to advance and cost Kershaw a run when Evan Longoria grounded out.
Mauricio Dubón followed that with a skyscraper that hit off the foul pole in left field and put the Dodgers in a 4-0 deficit. Austin Slater added to that with a leadoff home run in the third inning, and Kevin Gausman helped his cause with a two-out RBI base hit in the fourth.
Kershaw got through six innings to help preserve some of the bullpen. His five earned runs tied for the most he’s allowed this season, which now has occurred in three starts.
Kershaw exited with the Dodgers stuck on two hits against against Gausman. Gavin Lux doubled with one out in the second inning and Matt Beaty led off the bottom of the fourth with a single. Sandwiched in between was Kershaw reaching on an error in the third inning.
Gausman stranded the runner in all three instances and proceeded to get through six shutout innings with seven strikeouts. Gausman’s outing was cut short due to the Giants acted out of precaution when he experienced left hip tightness after fielding a tapper back to the mound.
Max Muncy saved the Dodgers from their first shutout this season with a towering two-run home run in the eighth inning. The long ball was Muncy’s 13th this season and 100th of his career.
Albert Pujols pulled the Dodgers closer with a two-run homer of his own in the bottom of the ninth, but Jake McGee then recovered to get the final two outs of the game.
Pujols broke a tie with Babe Ruth to take sole possession of fourth place on MLB’s all-time extra-base hits list. The home run was No. 670 of his career, and second in as many games.
Dodgers still waiting on Betts
Mookie Betts was due to be back in the lineup after a night off, but an allergic reaction led to being scratched. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not have specifics, only that Betts had trouble keeping his eyes open and it was the first time he’d experienced such trouble.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
