Walker Buehler Battles Against Padres Despite Abysmal Dodgers Defense in NLDS Game 3
Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler was tasked with facing the Padres in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Petco Park Tuesday. Buehler allowed six earned runs and gave up one home run while striking out zero through five innings.
Although his final stat line wasn’t stellar, Buehler got the job done. A defensive debacle by the Dodgers in the second inning didn’t help Buehler’s final numbers.
Buehler opened the bottom of the first following a solo homer by Mookie Betts. The right-hander was the first Dodgers starter to take the mound with a lead in a postseason game since Tyler Anderson in Game 4 of the 2022 NLDS against the Padres.
On Buehler’s second pitch of the night, Padres infielder Luis Arraez hit a pop fly to center field that was caught by a sliding Tommy Edman. Buehler used successful cutters against Padres outfielders Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jurickson Profar.
The right-hander retired the top of the San Diego lineup in Arraez, Tatis, and Profar. The 1-2-3 inning from Buehler was exactly what the Dodgers were hoping to see from the 30-year-old. It was the best first inning start out of any Dodgers starting pitcher this series.
Buehler entered the bottom of the second frame following a 1-2-3 inning from Michael King. The heart of the Padres lineup began with Manny Machado at the plate.
Buehler was issued a pitch clock violation to start the second. Machado had a ground ball base hit to kick off the frame. Then, sloppy defense from the Dodgers followed.
San Diego rookie Jackson Merrill reached on a fielder’s choice. After a bad throw by Freddie Freeman, Machado went to third and Merrill was at first. Freeman attempted to make the throw to second from his knees, but the ball ricocheted off Machado into the outfield. The crowd at Petco Park roared.
Xander Bogaerts hit an RBI fielder’s choice and managed to be safe at first after Miguel Rojas failed to make the throw to first on time. Rojas tried to execute a double play himself, but didn’t tag second in time and his throw to first was late.
The Padres took a 3-1 lead after David Peralta hit a line drive down the first base line for a double. Though Freeman attempted to get the stop, the ball was hit too fast.
San Diego hit five consecutive ground balls to start the bottom of the second. After the Dodgers earned two outs, Tatis hit a two-run homer off Buehler to extend San Diego’s lead to 6-1.
The Dodgers defense fell apart in the bottom of the second. They failed to assist Buehler in his effort to hold off the Padres.
Once Buehler entered the dugout after giving up a game-changing homer to Tatis, he body slammed a trash can. It was evident he felt the game had slipped through his fingers.
However, the events of the top of the third put the Dodgers back in the game. Teoscar Hernández hit a grand slam to reduce the Dodgers’ deficit to only one run. Los Angeles trailed 6-5.
Buehler took the mound with a new outlook in the matchup to start the bottom of the third. The momentum stuck with the Dodgers in the bottom of the frame as Buehler earned another 1-2-3 inning with the help of the defense.
Buehler’s fourth inning outing was strong. The fourth frame ended in a double play for the Dodgers, but Freddie Freeman landed on his bad ankle awkwardly to get the final out at first.
Although Daniel Hudson was warming up, Buehler returned for the fifth frame. The first batter he faced was Tatis, who had previously hit a two-run homer off of the righty in the second inning.
Tatis grounded out, but Buehler still had to face Profar and Machado again. Profar flew out. With a 2-2 count, Machado managed to get a base hit by throwing his bat out and making good contact.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts approached the mound, but Buehler remained intact. On a wild pitch from Buehler, Machado ran to second. Merrill was intentionally walked so Buehler could face Bogaerts. Bogaerts hit a hard line drive to Edman who secured the final out at second.
The fifth inning was a testament to Roberts’ faith in Buehler. He could’ve made a pitching change, but he stuck with his starter and it worked.
While the stat line wasn’t pretty, it was a gutsy outing for Buehler to give the Dodgers five innings against the Padres despite rough defense.
Photo Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
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