The Los Angeles Dodgers were in excellent position to take a series win from the Miami Marlins, but they ended up blowing the game late due to their bullpen struggling and giving up a walk-off homer.
With the loss, the Dodgers dropped the season series with Miami, going 2-4 against them this year. It’s also snapped a streak of the Dodgers winning three consecutive series.
The Dodgers’ magic number to win the National League West remains at four, but they are on the verge of clinching a postseason birth. They could clinch a spot in the postseason as early as Monday.
Marlins 6, Dodgers 4: key takeaways
Dodgers bullpen blows save & game
Edgardo Henriquez pitched the eighth inning, but was ineffective and allowed two runs before exiting. He gave up a pair of one-out singles to set the rally, and then a two-out walk to load the bases.
That was followed by a two-run single to pull the Marlins within one run. Tanner Scott ended up replacing Henriquez and stranded two runners with a strikeout.
Scott was back on the mound for the ninth inning with a two-run lead. He allowed a leadoff single and then a bunt single to put the tying runs on base. That was followed by a two-run double that tied the game and put the winning run in scoring position.
Brock Stewart took over for Scott, and he allowed a two-run walk-off homer to the first batter he faced.
Josue De Paula show
The Dodgers’ offense was quiet overall, but one big swing from Josue De Paula provided them with the win.
In the fourth inning, De Paula worked a 2-2 count, and then on the sixth pitch, he slugged a three-run homer on a 98 mph fastball. The ball left his bat at 108.2 mph and traveled 416 feet for a no-doubt homer.
It was De Paula’s first career hit at the MLB level after he drew four walks in his previous at-bats. Before running the bases, De Paula looked toward the Dodgers’ dugout, showing all his excitement and emotion of the moment.
Will Smith started off the inning with a double and Kyle Tucker took a walk to set the stage for De Paula’s moment.
The top prospect also recorded a double in his third at-bat of the game, which came in the sixth inning. It was nearly another homer for the 21-year-old, who hit the ball 101.9 mph at 385 feet.
De Paula finished the game going 2-for-2 with a walk before being subbed out for defense later in the game after making his first career start in left field.
The Dodgers scored some insurance in the ninth inning when Alex Freeland singled and stole second base, then scored on a double from Mookie Betts. However, it wasn’t enough for the Dodgers.
Emmet Sheehan deals
Emmet Sheehan turned in his best start of the season and looked more like the Sheehan of last year, than the one he’s been this year. The right-hander tossed six shutout innings while allowing just two hits, striking out five and walking one.
It was Sheehan’s first outing this season without allowing a run, and he’s now thrown 11.2 innings with just one run allowed since being recalled from Triple-A for his Sept. 7 start. In those two outings, he’s given up just five total hits with two walks while striking out 15 hitters, lowering his ERA from 5.29 to 4.79.
Sheehan did not allow a baserunner through the first three innings, but finally gave up a pair of singles to begin the fourth. The Marlins ended up loading the bases with a two-out walk, but Sheehan stranded all the runners in the inning. It was the only inning where the Marlins had a baserunner against him.
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