Mookie Betts and Trea Turner enjoyed success in new spots of the lineup, but the Los Angeles Dodgers collectively failed to hit enough in a 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals that resulted in a series split at Busch Stadium.
In effort to help jumpstart an offense that has been inconsistent, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts moved Betts back into the leadoff spot and slotted Turner third in the lineup. They combined to go 3-for-7 with one run scored, one walk and one RBI.
Turner began his day with a two-out double in the first inning, only to be stranded when Lars Nootbaar made a sliding catch in right field to rob Justin Turner of a hit and RBI.
Trea Turner then singled with two outs in the third, driving in Betts to tie the game. The table had been set by Betts’ two-out walk and Max Muncy’s double.
Betts later grounded out to end the seventh inning in an opportunity to pull the Dodgers even or potentially put them ahead after Albert Pujols pinch-hit and drew a two-out walk.
Tony Gonsolin’s return from the 10-day injured list was a relative success. He went the targeted three innings and held the Cardinals to just one run. That came when Dylan Carlson’s leadoff double in the second inning was cashed in on Andrew Knizner’s extra-base hit with one out.
Gonsolin allowed a total of three hits and issued two walks while collecting three strikeouts. He was aided by Max Muncy coming up with a grounder at first base and throwing home to cut down a runner.
Even with Phil Bickford surrendering a go-ahead home run to Tyler O’Neill in the fifth inning, the Dodgers bullpen kept them in the game but the offense failed to find any traction.
Dodgers again prioritize rest
Just like they did prior to their last turns in the rotation, the Dodgers again elected to give Julio Urias, Walker Buehler and Max Scherzer an extra day of rest. That pushed Urias back from the series finale against the Cardinals and lined up all three to face the San Diego Padres.
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