The Los Angeles Dodgers offense struggled to get anything going against the Baltimore Orioles as they dropped the opener of the potential World Series preview, 3-2.
The Dodgers’ hitters went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base, including Mookie Betts at second base with one out and their three and four hitters, Teoscar Hernández and Will Smith, up at the plate.
In the fifth inning, Kiké Hernández doubled and Chris Taylor walked, setting the stage for the top of their lineup, but all three were retired, failing to even move the runners over.
The Dodgers also left the tying run on base at second in the ninth inning with two outs.
While the offense struggled, Jack Flaherty had another solid outing for the Dodgers, but two home runs left the Dodgers trailing when he exited the game in the seventh.
The first homer was a solo shot from Ryan O’Hearn in the second inning on a fastball down the middle, a clear mistake pitch.
The second home run came in the fifth inning, following a single from Jackson Holliday. With one out, Ramón Urías launched a slider over the left field wall, giving the Orioles a 3-2 lead.
Overall, Flaherty finished his day allowing three runs on six hits over six innings while striking out five and walking two.
After the Orioles took the lead in the second, the Dodgers answered back to tie the game on a sacrifice fly by Miguel Rojas, following a one-out triple from Tommy Edman.
Teoscar Hernández provided them with their first lead in the third inning when he singled home Shohei Ohtani with two outs. It was a two-out rally for the Dodgers, which started with a single from Ohtani and a walk from Mookie Betts.
However, that was the end of their scoring for the night.
The Dodgers did deal with poor umpiring throughout the game, and especially into the late innings, getting multiple balls called for strikes against them. On the other hand, their hitters failed to adjust to the strike zone, and struck out on multiple close pitches.
Jack Flaherty hit but continues pitching for Dodgers
Flaherty had an adventurous fifth inning that included him nearly being hit by two comebackers, and finally being hit by a third one. Flaherty was able top catch one of them and turn it into an out, but the final one hit off his right writst.
He was checked on by manager Dave Roberts and head trainer Thomas Albert before staying in the game. After the inning, Flaherty had his wrist wrapped as he talked with the trainers and coaches.
He ended up staying in the game to pitch one more inning, without the wrap on, and threw a scoreless frame, despite running into some trouble.
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