Mitch White labored some through a second career start and the Los Angeles Dodgers were unable to generate run support in a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies that snapped their four-game winning streak.
L.A. fell into a deficit in the first inning when White surrendered a solo home run to Bryce Harper, who went to the opposite field for a solo home run on a low fastball that was located relatively well.
White then kept the Phillies off the board until issuing a pair of walks in the fourth inning that led to Ronald Torreyes hitting an RBI single. Despite White’s command waning and a third walk loading the bases, the Dodgers stuck with the right-hander and he got through the inning.
The Dodgers put two runners on in the first inning, only for Ranger Suárez to work out of the small jam and retire eight batters in a row. That was snapped by AJ Pollock’s infield single with one out in the fifth inning. Pollock stole second base but was stranded.
Austin Barnes’ one-out infield single in the fifth wound up sparking a small rally as it was followed by Billy McKinney working a walk. Enyel De Los Santos took over for Suárez at that point and threw a wild pitch, which cost him as Trea Turner hit an RBI groundout.
The Dodgers challenged the out call at first base and although replay appeared to show Brad Miller’s foot come off the bag, it was not overturned.
While the Dodgers’ bullpen kept the deficit at one run, the offense was unable to replicate their success against the Phillies’ relief pitchers.
Cody Bellinger nearly tied the game with a solo home run in the seventh inning, only for his drive to right-center field to be caught at the warning track. Bellinger went 0-for-4 and had his eight-game hitting streak snapped.
Ian Kennedy, who the Dodgers were connected to at the trade deadline, worked around two controversial walks and a hit batter to strand the bases loaded and convert the save.
L.A. fell to 13-21 in one-run games this season. Only the Miami Marlins (23) and Arizona Diamondbacks (23) have more losses in such games.
Dodgers probables for Mets series
By using White as a spot starter for the series finale against the Phillies, the Dodgers provided Julio Urias and Walker Buehler with an extra day of rest before their respective next turns through the rotation.
Urias, who turned 25 years old on Thursday, takes the ball in the first game against the New York Mets. Buehler starts Saturday and Max Scherzer is the probable for the series finale at Citi Field, which is an ESPN Sunday Night Baseball broadcast.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
