Jeff Birney
Dodgers Drop First Game of Critical Series against AZ
Two homeruns, one from each team accounted for all the runs in Thursday night’s matchup against Arizona. Yet runners on base proved to be the difference.
The Dodger’s offense was essentially flat despite traffic in numerous innings, once again failing to get hits when it counted. Hitting into double-plays and strikeouts also stymied L.A. as they punched out 15 times throughout the game. A struggling Chris Taylor getting sat down four times on Ks.
“We punched more than we have lately,” said manager Dave Roberts. “They beat us. We got beat.”
A missed double play opportunity in the fifth proved to be fatal, as David Peralta knocked one over the fence off Rich Hill with two on to get the D-Backs up, 3-0. The Dodgers only run came off a Manny Machado solo shot in the seventh.
The Dodger’s bullpen went scoreless for four innings, a bright spot in the otherwise frustrating game.
The Dodgers dropped back to two games behind Arizona and are a ½ game behind Colorado. The series continues tonight, game time is 7:10 pm, PST.
