The Los Angeles Dodgers squandered an opportunity to maintain their ground in a tight National League West race as they fell 3-2 to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.
The Dodgers took a 3-2 lead in the third but it was short-lived as the Orioles answered back with a two-run homer by Ramón Urías two innings later.
The Dodgers had plenty of chances to get back in front, but failed to deliver the big hit. L.A. went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base in their loss to the Orioles.
“This one is already in the past. We got some opportunities to score some runs, we didn’t, it happens. But we just need to move forward, think about tomorrow, trying to do it then,” Teoscar Hernández said after the game.
The Dodgers were kept in check by Cole Irvin, who threw 4.1 innings of two-run ball. Matt Bowman, Cionel Pérez, Yennier Cano and Seranthony Domínguez then combined to log 4.2 scoreless innings to seal the Orioles’ win.
“They’re a very good team. They throw hard, they hit their spots,” Hernández added. “That’s when the pitchers get harder. But like I said, we got some opportunities, and we didn’t get through any good at-bats or hits in those situations.”
This week’s matchup between the Dodgers and Orioles represented a potential World Series preview as both teams are separated by just 1.5 games for the best record in baseball.
Dodgers lose ground in NL West
With their loss, the Dodgers are 78-54 and now tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the best record in baseball.
The Dodgers also lost some ground in the NL West as the San Diego Padres earned a 7-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals to pull into a second-place tie with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Even with the Diamondbacks losing 8-3 to the New York Mets, they remain only three games behind the Dodgers in the NL West standings.
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