Walker Buehler failed to go at least six innings for the first time this year and the Los Angeles Dodgers had their season-best nine-game winning streak snapped in a 5-4 loss to the Miami Marlins.
Buehler grew frustrated with an inconsistent strike zone throughout the night and was hurt by hits against the shift and a brush of sloppy defense. Buehler initially helped his cause by starting a rally with a leadoff double in the third inning.
He advanced to third base on a passed ball and scored on Chris Taylor’s RBI double. Justin Turner’s RBI single extended the Dodgers’ lead to 2-0 before Travis Rogers could get out of the inning.
It went downhill for Buehler and the Dodgers from there, beginning with Starling Marte being hit by a pitch with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. Marte promptly stole second base and scored on Garrett Cooper’s RBI single.
Cooper then swiped second — the first stolen base of his career — and took third on an infield single. Miguel Rojas found a hole in the shift to tie the game with an RBI base hit, and Zach McKinstry’s throwing error saw the Marlins take a lead.
Miami added to that with Jazz Chisholm Jr. driving in a run in the fourth. Buehler didn’t retire the side in order until the fifth inning, and despite efficiently doing so, it was not enough to keep him in the game at 93 pitches.
The Dodgers put the tying runs on base in the seventh inning but Zach Pop struck out AJ Pollock and Justin Turner to end the threat.
L.A. stressed Pop again in the eighth when Albert Pujols led off with a single and Will Smith walked. Max Muncy then pinch-hit for Steven Souza Jr. and drew a free pass to load the bases. David Hess took over for Pop, only to immediately walk Gavin Lux.
Cody Bellinger nearly delivered a pinch-hit grand slam but his drive to right-center field died at the wall and resulted in a game-tying sacrifice fly. Mookie Betts hit for Edwin Uceta and drew a walk that again loaded the bases but the Dodgers failed to capitalize.
That ultimately cost them as Jorge Alfaro hit a two-out home run off Victor Gonzalez in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Dodgers miss chance
Prior to the Dodgers losing to the Marlins, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Had L.A. extended their winning streak, they also would’ve gained sole possession of first place in the National League West.
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