The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 despite yet another blown save from closer Edwin Diaz
The Dodgers have been totally out of sync over the last few weeks, compiling a seven-game losing streak with the offense not picking up the pitching at times, and the pitching letting down the hitters as well.
LA was up 1-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth, when Edwin Diaz stepped up for another save opportunity.
He came in and allowed consecutive triples, blowing the save, and with no outs and a speedy runner in Corbin Carroll on third base, the game looked lost.
However, thanks to a great play from Max Muncy to catch a line-out, an infield pop-up, and then a clutch strikeout, Diaz saved himself from further scorn.
In the top of the 10th inning, things looked grim as the offense’s struggles continued. There were two outs on the board quickly, but somehow, Hunter Feduccia worked a walk, and on the fourth ball, Kyle Tucker, the runner on second, moved to third.
Then, Shohei Ohtani legged out a tricky grounder, scoring the second run of the game.
Jack Dreyer came in during the bottom of the 10th and delivered a great outing, powering the Dodgers to a win with a save.
Offense fails to produce again
On Saturday, August 8th, the offense generated nothing other than a run through nine innings, leaving the team with too little of a margin against a struggling bullpen.
The Dodgers had just two runners in scoring position throughout the game and went 0-for-3 with them in scoring position, for nine innings.
Kyle Tucker scored the only run for the Dodgers through regulation on a home run that looked to be a special moment for him, until Edwin Diaz collapsed in the ninth inning again.
Yamamoto’s gusty outing
On the mound, they got 5.2 shutout innings from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was nowhere near his best but did the job of an ace.
Yamamoto battled an illness over the last week, so he didn’t travel with the team to Chicago. Instead, he stayed on the West Coast, giving him the chance to make a short trip to Arizona instead.
His fastballs, both the four-seam and cutter, were not good tonight, but his offspeed was so good that he allowed only three hits and three walks while still getting six strikeouts.
Even while not feeling 100%, Yamamoto still delivers for the Dodgers.
2 Responses
I dunno what it is about Dodgers and acquiring closers, but it hasn’t been good.
Brian Wilson. Living in Northern Calif I used to call him the Giants Secret Weapon. Giants fans understood what I meant.
Craig Kimbrel. Another disaster. The D’s dumped Jansen for him?
Tanner Scott. He’s been so so this year, but apparently injured, a disaster last year.
Diaz. Facepalm.
What can I say. Seems like there’s more, this is off the top of my head.
Now starters/middle, they’ve had some great recoveries. Guys who couldn’t get past the 3rd inning and now they’re studs. (might also have something to do with Dodger pitching injuries, but we’re not going there at the moment)
I have been pretty critical on couple of posts on Tucker, but I’m glad he finally had his 1st Dodger moment. My point was a $60M AAV player is EXPECTED to produce to lead the team to wins and take over the game, akin to Ceddane Rafaela, PCA, or Jordan Alvarez do to single-handedly perform for their team. His demeanor of underperformance was affecting the team as anyone having that kind of contract and not coming through brings a downer to the other players. However, it is nice to see him smile for once….hope he keeps it up.