The Los Angeles Dodgers had their season-high-tying eight-game winning streak snapped in a 5-2 loss to the Houston Astros, settling for a series split at Minute Maid Park. L.A. now returns to Dodger Stadium after winning four of five on the road trip.
The night began in ominous fashion as Trevor Bauer surrendered a leadoff home run to Jose Altuve in the first inning. Bauer had shaky command after that and walked the bases loaded before getting out of the inning.
With the Dodgers set to go with a bullpen game on Thursday, Bauer needing 37 pitches to get through the opening frame was worrisome. He regained control moving forward to complete six innings, but again was hurt by the home run ball.
After Will Smith threw out Yuli Gurriel on his stolen base attempt, Bauer gave up a home run to Carlos Correa in the sixth inning.
The loss was Bauer’s first of his career in 10 starts against the Astros. He entered the night 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA in four outings at Minute Maid Park.
Astros rookie Luis Garcia was sharp early before running into trouble in the third inning. Yoshi Tsutsugo’s one-out single gave the Dodgers their first baserunner of the night. Garcia’s error on a Mookie Betts chopper kept the inning alive and led to Max Muncy delivering a game-tying RBI single.
Justin Turner’s walk loaded the bases, but Garcia kept the damage to just one run. He proceeded to hold the Dodgers just to two hits and collected seven strikeouts. It marked the first time Garcia logged six innings in his young career.
Dodgers defense relapses
Still holding a slim lead thanks to Correa’s go-ahead homer, Houston took advantage of a Gavin Lux throwing error in the seventh. Altuve beat the shift with a soft RBI single into right field and Nate Jones then gave up a two-run home run to Aledmys Diaz.
Lux’s throwing error was reminiscent of defensive trouble the Dodgers had earlier this season but was put to rest over the past two weeks.
The Dodgers had a chance in the ninth inning when two-out walks by Lux and Chris Taylor brought Albert Pujols to the plate as the tying run. Bryan Abreu continued to struggle with command but shut the door to snap the Padres’ four-game losing streak.
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