Dodgers Recap: LA Drops Fifth Straight to Brewers; Bullpen Falters Despite Resurgent Bats

CHAVEZ RAVINE — Dodger fans, this one stings.

After showing signs of life at the plate and hanging seven runs on the board, the Dodgers still came up short in an 8–7 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium. The defeat marks Los Angeles’ ninth loss in their last eleven games—and their fifth straight to the high flying Brewers.

For a team that spent the first half of the season cruising atop the NL West, things have gotten rocky. While the offense finally broke out of its funk, the bullpen failed to deliver the shutdown innings the team desperately needed. Every time the Dodgers clawed back, the Brewers answered right back—and that proved to be the difference.

Offense Awakens

After being shut out to start the second half, the Dodgers’ bats finally came alive. Shohei Ohtani delivered a monster performance, going 2-for-5 with three RBIs, including his 33rd home run of the season—a tape-measure two-run blast in the third inning that helped erase an early 4–0 Milwaukee lead.

Miguel Rojas added a solo homer in the eighth, his second hit of the night, and Tommy Edman chipped in with a solo shot of his own as part of a two-hit game. In total, the Dodgers collected 10 hits, drew three walks, and struck out nine times. The offense did its job. It just wasn’t enough.

A Rocky Night on the Mound

Emmet Sheehan got the start and ran into trouble in the third inning after two solid frames. A triple, RBI single, walk, double, and sac fly gave the Brewers a 4–0 lead. The Dodgers stormed back with four runs in the bottom of the third to tie it up, only to see the Brewers immediately reclaim the lead on an Isaac Collins solo homer in the fourth.

That pattern—L.A. scoring, Milwaukee answering—persisted all night.

Ben Casparius and Anthony Banda were both tagged for runs in relief. Lou Trivino gave up a solo homer to Joey Ortiz in the eighth, a run that loomed large after the Dodgers launched back-to-back solo shots in the bottom half of the frame to pull within one.

The bullpen’s inability to post a zero after L.A. scored became the theme of the night. Milwaukee scored in five of the final seven innings, and the Dodgers never led.

Missed Opportunities

Even with the offensive output, there were still missed chances. L.A. had two runners on with nobody out in the third and only came away with one run after Ohtani’s homer. In the sixth, they stranded two more. And after getting within one in the eighth, the Dodgers went quietly in the ninth—Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernández went down in order against Brewers closer Trevor Megill.

The Dodgers went just 2-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left six on base. Those missed opportunities added up in a one-run loss.

Another Step Back

At 58–41, the Dodgers still hold the best record in the NL West. But their grip on the division is loosening. Meanwhile, the Brewers—winners of 8 in a row—continue their own playoff push in the Central.

The Dodgers’ recent struggles have been a combination of inconsistent offense, shaky bullpen outings, and an inability to come up with the big inning or shutdown frame when they need it most. Saturday night was a painful reminder that even when the bats show up, they need help from the pitching staff.

Kershaw to the Rescue?

The Dodgers will try to avoid a sweep and get their first win since the All-Star break in Sunday’s series finale. Veteran ace Clayton Kershaw is expected to take the mound. The future Hall of Famer made a triumphant return earlier this summer and will be asked to steady the ship once again. Game Time 1:10 PDT

Stay tuned, Dodger fans. The season is far from over, but the team could sure use a spark—and a win. Let’s see if Kershaw can deliver one more time.

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