The Los Angeles Dodgers were on the verge of completing a series sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies but a Max Muncy error in the 10th inning instead resulted in a 4-3 loss.
L.A. again was led by Mookie Betts, who hit his 10th home run of the year and second in as many days. Betts’ solo blast helped further ease any concern from a left shoulder stinger he suffered on Saturday.
In his past 10 games, Betts has 11 extra-base hits (six doubles, five home runs) and 13 runs scored.
Edwin Ríos added to the Dodgers’ lead with a solo home run of his own in the fourth inning. The homer was Ríos’ fifth of the season and came in his second career start in the cleanup spot of the lineup.
The two homers were all Zach Eflin allowed in what otherwise was a dominant afternoon. He set season-highs with seven innings pitched and 12 strikeouts. Included in that was striking out six in a row before Betts’ home run with two outs in the third inning.
Eflin was in the game for one inning longer, but his effort was bested by Tony Gonsolin. He had an effective splitter to go along with a fastball and curveball and didn’t allow a run until Garrett Stubbs’ solo homer in the bottom of the sixth.
Gonsolin responded to the Dodgers’ lead being cut in half by striking out the next three batters. Sunday marked the first time in his career of back-to-back starts of at least six innings. It was a third consecutive outing in which the Dodgers needed length from Gonsolin, who lowered his ERA to 1.62.
Alex Vesia stranded a one-out single in the seventh inning, but Justin Bruihl failed to make it through the eighth. He exited with runners at the corners and was picked up by Yency Almonte inducing an inning-ending double play.
Due to Craig Kimbrel appearing in the first two games of the series, Almonte remained on the mound in the ninth. He was one out away from converting a second career save when trouble set in.
Nick Castellanos’ double kept the Phillies’ hopes alive and Jean Segura also swung at the first pitch, tying the game with an RBI single.
Trea Turner’s RBI base hit in the 10th provided L.A. with a lead that ultimately fell. Evan Phillips was initially aided by Justin Turner pulling off a deke to get J.T. Realmuto after he had advanced to third base on an infield single.
However with runners at second and third base, Muncy booted a routine grounder to second base, allowing the tying and game-winning runs to score.
Dodgers winning streaks
Even with Sunday’s loss, the Dodgers have put together three extended winning streaks. They previously won seven in a row from April 12-18, and had a six-game winning streak from May 1-8.
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