The Dodgers once again took an early lead, but struggled to capitalize on that as they lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-4, due to a poor start from Walker Buehler and some terrible defense.
The Dodgers loaded the bases to start the game when Shohei Ohtani reached on an error, which was followed by singles from Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
Teoscar Hernández then drew a walk to drive in the first run and Kiké Hernández hit a sacrifice fly to make it a 2-0 game. The inning was capped off by a double from Kevin Kiermaier, which drove in the third run.
They scored one more run in the seventh when Betts and Freeman singled before Miguel Rojas pinch-hit for Gavin Lux and singled home another run, which tied the game.
The Dodgers also benefitted from an uncommon play in the fourth inning with Anthony Banda on the mound and Joey Ortiz at first. Sal Frelick lined a double down the left field line, putting two Brewers in scoring position with one out.
However, Clayton Kershaw noticed Ortiz did not touch second base, so the Dodgers appealed after a mound visit from manager Dave Roberts, who tolled them how to challenge it on the field.
After the appeal, the runner was called out and the Dodgers went on to escape the inning.
Despite their luck, the Dodgers played sloppy baseball, making three errors, all of which led to a run scored for the Brewers, with two giving them the lead.
The second error was committed by Kiké Hernández, which allowed the Brewers’ fourth run to score in the fourth inning. The final error was by Betts and allowed the go-ahead run to score in the seventh via Ortiz on a single from Jackson Chourio.
Walker Buehler makes return to Dodgers but still struggles
Buehler made his return from the 15-day injured list, and the results were not better than the last time he was on the mound.
Buehler started his outing with three straight walks, but managed to get out of the inning unscathed thanks to a terrific defensive play.
With the bases loaded and no one out, William Contreras lined a ball to Kiermaier, who made the catch and made a 99 mph throw to Austin Barnes at the plate, who was able to catch it and make the tag on the runner trying to score.
That resulted in a double play and no runs for the Brewers before the next batter struck out.
However, Buehler wasn’t able to keep the Brewers off the board in the second as he allowed a solo home run to Jake Bauers to start the inning. With one out, Sal Frelick reached on an error by Nick Ahmed, and with two outs, Brice Turang tripled home the run.
Turang ended up scoring on an infield single from Chourio, resulting in a three-run second for the Brewers.
Buehler pitched a scoreless third before allowing the Brewers to take the lead in the fourth. Garrett Mitchell started the inning with a walk and stole second base before coming around to score on a fielder’s choice.
That ended the night for Buehler, who went 3.1 innings, allowing four runs on three hits with four walks and three strikeouts. While only one run was earned, he was fortunate to only allow four runs total to begin with.
His season ERA now sits at 5.58 in 40.1 innings. Time is running out for the Dodgers to get him back on track, and it’s seeming more likely his time with the club is coming to a close.
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