The Los Angeles Dodgers felt an immediate impact from not having Mookie Betts in right field and it resulted in a 5-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians. The Dodgers went 3-2 their homestand despite dropping the series.
Andrew Heaney’s first start for the Dodgers since April 17 was much of the same, though his scoreless streak did come to an end. It initially was snapped with an unearned run the Guardians scored in the second inning thanks in large part to misplays by Eddy Alvarez.
Making just a second career start (including the Minors) in right field, Alvarez dropped a routine fly ball for an error, and two batters later misread one that fell for a base hit. Austin Hedges’ sacrifice fly gave Cleveland an early lead.
Heaney stranded two baserunners to limit the damage, and gave Alvarez a pat of encouragement in the dugout.
Heaney had only thrown 70 pitches through five innings, which both were shy of the rough estimates — 90 pitches and six frames — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave prior to the game, which led to sticking with the left-hander.
That didn’t pan out as Oscar Gonzalez hit the first pitch he saw for a game-tying home run to lead off the sixth inning. Heaney then walked Josh Naylor before giving way to the Dodgers bullpen.
Brusdar Graterol retired the first two batters faced before a single and hit by pitch loaded the bases. Graterol escaped the jam and kept the game tied by collecting his second strikeout of the inning.
Guardians starter Shane Bieber faced some trouble in the second and third innings, when he allowed an RBI double to Gavin Lux and home run to Cody Bellinger.
Bieber pitched into the seventh inning but was removed after giving up a one-out single to Alvarez. He promptly stole second base and wound up scoring on a throwing error that came on Trea Turner’s infield single.
Turner being credited with a single extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
The Dodgers’ bullpen was unable to hold the lead, however, as Daniel Hudson allowed the runner he inherited from Alex Vesia to score in the eight inning.
Craig Kimbrel then faltered in a non-save situation, with Alvarez again in the spotlight as he was unable to make a diving catch in right field. The double left two on with one out and led to an intentional walk.
Cleveland wound up pulling ahead on an RBI single and added on a sacrifice fly.
How will Dodgers replace Betts?
Prior to the game, manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers intended to rely on a combination of Alvarez, Zach McKinstry and Chris Taylor in right field while Betts is on the 10-day injured list.
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