CHAVEZ RAVINE — Sorry, Dodger fans. I regret to report that all the issues that plagued the team during the recent seven-game losing streak are still around: lots of strikeouts, no clutch hitting, and a pile of zeroes on the scoreboard. If you were hoping that the Dodgers would use the All-Star break to reset and rejuventate, I’m afraid that didn’t happen. The bats only came up with three hits as they were shut out at Dodger Stadium by the Milwaukee Brewers by a score of 2-0.
And make no mistake—this one wasn’t on the pitching.
Tyler Glasnow looked sharp in his second start back from the IL, striking out eight and allowing just one run over six innings. He pounded the zone, limited hard contact, and had all his pitches working. It was the kind of performance that should put a team in position to win—if they can score at all.
But the Dodgers’ bats were lifeless. Quinn Priester absolutely carved them up over six dominant innings, striking out 10 while allowing only three hits—all singles or harmless contact. Freddie Freeman doubled in the fourth, but he was erased on a lineout double play in the very next at-bat. That, unfortunately, was the Dodgers’ best chance of the night.
The rest of the game followed a now-familiar and frustrating pattern: missed opportunities, no situational hitting, and strikeouts at the worst times. Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman combined to go 1-for-11 with five strikeouts. The Dodgers struck out 10 times overall and didn’t advance a single runner past second base after the fourth inning.
The Brewers, meanwhile, didn’t exactly light it up either—but they didn’t have to. Caleb Durbin accounted for both of Milwaukee’s runs, ripping an RBI double off Glasnow in the fifth and then launching a solo home run off Kirby Yates in the seventh. That was all they needed, as the Dodgers’ offense failed to threaten the rest of the way.
Even in the ninth, with a final shot to rally, the bats at the top of the lineup went down without a whimper. Tommy Edman grounded out to closer Trevor Megill, Shohei Ohtani flew out, and Mookie Betts grounded out to short. Some reset, huh?
It’s one thing to lose when you’re overmatched. It’s another when a team with this much talent keeps beating itself. Whether it’s mental fatigue, poor plate discipline, or something deeper, the Dodgers need to figure it out fast—because the division lead is shrinking, and October will be here before you know it. And, more good news, with the win, the Brewers take the season series with
Until then, it’s fair to ask: if not now, when does this lineup wake up?
The second half of the season rolls on with another good pitching matchup on Saturday. Freddy Peralta (11-4, 2.66 ERA, 118 SO) will toe the rubber for the Brewers, and Emmet Sheehan will start for LA. Sheehan is coming off a very impressive outing following up Shohei Ohtani against the Padres, and will look to build on that back in his starter’s role. Game time 6:10 PDT. Let’s hope the Dodgers remember to bring their bats with them to the stadium for this next one.
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