The Los Angeles Dodgers were shut down by a familiar nemesis in Eric Bauer and began their road trip with a 2-1 loss the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite just ending a three-game losing streak, the Dodgers are 3-7 in their past 10 games.
Lauer entered his 2021 debut a career 5-0 with a 2.11 ERA in seven starts against the Dodgers during his time with the San Diego Padres. The left-hander improved on that ERA by firing five scoreless innings in his 2021 debut. Lauer limited the Dodgers to four hits on the night.
L.A. didn’t have runner in scoring position until the fifth inning when Trevor Bauer walked and reached second base on Mookie Betts’ single. Lauer worked out of the small jam and preserved the Brewers’ lead by getting Corey Seager to fly out.
Lauer had been provided a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the fourth when the Brewers took advantage of Bauer walking Avisail Garcia with two outs. Bauer then fell behind 2-0 to Travis Shaw, which marked a stretch of six consecutive balls thrown.
He climbed back into the count to even it up, only to hang an inside breaking ball that Shaw pulled to right field for his fourth home run of the season. Milwaukee re-signed Shaw to compete for the starting job at third base once Justin Turner elected to remain with the Dodgers.
Bauer managed to keep the damage to just the two runs, but the Dodgers couldn’t muster any sort of comeback against the Brewers’ bullpen. They threatened in the eighth and scored a run in the ninth inning before Josh Hader managed to complete the save.
Bauer turned in his longest outing of the season at eight innings, though his six strikeouts were the fewest of any six starts.
Dodgers injuries
Although the Dodgers welcomed back Mitch White from the COVID injured list, they put Brusdar Graterol on the 10-day IL due to right forearm tightness. Edwin Uceta was recalled, but did not make his MLB debut.
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