Steve Webb
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — Ugh. In what can only be called a disappointment, the Dodgers found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 for the second time this weekend. This time, it was Zach Davies and the Arizona pen who held the Dodger bats in check. However, thanks to a great start from new Dodger Noah Syndergaard, the home team went into the 9th inning deadlocked in a 1-1 tie.
And that’s where the wheels came off the apple cart. Brusdar Graterol was called on to get the three outs and send the Dodgers back to the bat rack still tied, but just couldn’t come through. Even after Mookie Betts gunned down Ketel Marte at the plate, the D-backs were able to scratch across a run. With two outs and runners on first and third, the speedy Jake McCarthy laid down a bunt on the first base side. Graterol bounced off the mound and made the attempt to field the ball, but it glanced off his glove and rolled into foul territory, allowing the go-ahead run to scamper home.
The Dodgers went quietly in the 9th, and that was that. A frustrating series split in a series that they outscored their opponents 20-6. Which pretty much shows how misleading run differential can be in baseball.
Offensively, the only real highlight was a Will Smith homer in the 1st inning. Things got mighty quiet after that.
Still, like in Friday’s loss, maybe the most important thing that will come of the game is that Dodger fans get some assurances about the game-readiness of the LA rotation. On Friday, Dustin May was spectacular. Sunday, Syndergaard was equally impressive. His line for the afternoon: 6+ IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
“I’m a big believer in first impressions,” said Syndergaard after the game. “New home, new fan base, so I just wanted to go out there and execute and attack hitters and leave a really good first impression. … All in all, I think it was a really good outing, it’s just unfortunate that we lost.”
Short hops
- Syndergaard really was awesome in his first Dodger start. Great command, working efficiently, and getting ahead of most hitters early.
- In this first series, starters had all quality starts: Urias: 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, May: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB 4 K, Kershaw: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K Syndergaard: 6+ IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
- Mookie now has two outfield assists, mostly because Ketel Marte needs to read a scouting report
- Graterol was just not good on Sunday. Can’t get a strikeout when he needs one. Not sure if the team can rely on him as a closer.
- Dodgers took another 0-fer with RISP. Which happened in Friday’s loss as well. Shades of the Division Series last year.
- In an in-game interview, Clayton Kershaw revealed he’s big Ted Lasso fan. So there’s that.
- The home stand continues with the Colorado Rockies on Monday. Michael Grove gets the ball against righty Ryan Feltner, who got knocked around quite a bit in 2022 (4-9, 5.83). Game time 7:10.
