Steve Webb
Game 106, 7/27/2024: Dodgers 6, Astros 7
HOUSTON, TX — Ugh. The Dodgers suffered a frustrating loss to the Astros, falling 7-6 after a strong start by Justin Wrobleski was undone by the bullpen’s inability to hold the lead. Wrobleski, pitching 5.2 solid innings, allowed just two runs on four hits, demonstrating poise and command on the mound. His efforts provided the Dodgers with a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth.
The Dodgers’ offense, led by Shohei Ohtani‘s 32nd home run and contributions from Gavin Lux and Teoscar Hernández, seemed to put them in a commanding position. In Ohtani’s case, it was a massive blast, nearly 450 feet off the bat waaaaay into the upper deck. Things were looking very good indeed at that point of the game.
Cavan Biggio‘s solo homer in the eighth inning (in front of papa Craig) added a cushion, extending their lead to 6-4. Biggio had his best game as a Dodger, getting two hits and two RBI on the day. With those two additional runs, in the sixth and the eighth, the Dodgers appeared to have the game well in hand going into the final innings.
However, the Dodgers’ bullpen faltered under pressure. In the sixth, Wrobleski gave up a couple of hits, but got yanked one hitter too early. Coming in as the first man out of the pen, Evan Phillips struggled, failing to record an out while giving up four hits and two runs. Anthony Banda managed to stop the bleeding temporarily, but Daniel Hudson‘s wild pitches and inability to shut the door in the eighth allowed the Astros to tie the game at 6-6. Blake Treinen, who entered in the eighth and got out of a jam, surrendered the game-winning home run to Alex Bregman in the ninth.
Despite Wrobleski’s commendable start, the bullpen’s collapse overshadowed his efforts and highlighted the Dodgers’ ongoing struggle with late-game pitching. This loss serves as a stark reminder of the volatility of baseball, where even substantial leads can vanish in an instant.
As the Dodgers look to rebound, addressing bullpen consistency will be crucial. With the division race tightening, maintaining leads and closing out games are imperative for their postseason aspirations. The Dodgers, now 62-44, remain atop the NL West but must solidify their late-inning pitching to sustain their position and thrive in the playoffs.
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