Dodgers Beat the Streak: Rebounding from a tough loss
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Los Angeles Angels in game one of the Freeway Series in one of the team’s ugliest losses to date.
The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped game one of the Freeway Series, 3-2, when the team really should have won. LA entered the ninth inning protecting a one-run lead with Kenley Jensen on the mound, who has been dominant after a rough start to the season.
After getting the Angels down to their final strike with Shohei Ohtani at the plate, Jansen lost Ohtani, walked him and he stole second base; to which a wild throw advanced him to third.
David Fletcher then lined a ball into the outfield that was less than six inches from being caught and the game was tied. An excuse me swing by Ian Kinsler led to a bloop single to right field, which would have been caught if the Dodgers were not in no doubles defense.
Yasiel Puig then bobbled it, fired it home and Yasmani Grandal, for whatever reason, allowed the ball to skip by him instead of blocking it to allow the run to score. The only player with padding on the field did not drop on a knee to block the throw. I guess Puig just throws that hard.
At the end of the day, the Dodgers lost and Angels’ fans got the last laugh. And while the ninth inning definitely was the reason for the loss, it did not help that the Dodgers mustered just four hits against a shoddy Angels’ pitching staff.
Two of the hits were from Matt Kemp, the other two came from Cody Bellinger and Chase Utley. Kemp had both RBIs and actually extended Sarah’s streak. My selection, Max Muncy, was one of many to go hitless.
Sarah’s pick — Current streak 5: Max Muncy
My pick for today’s game against the Angels is Max Muncy. After last night’s loss, I am going with a pretty safe pick. Even though the loss can be pinned on Jansen, or Grandal or Puig, it was a loss nonetheless, and it still stings.
The Dodgers have had their fair share of painful losses this season, but have been adamant about shaking off those losses and returning to the field the next day ready to win. That said, it wasn’t an easy loss to swallow, so I am going with Max Muncy to help get the Dodgers back on track.
It’s something he has been pretty good at so far this season, and I have a feeling that it will continue tonight, as Ross Stripling takes the hill in the Big A.
Jason’s pick — Current streak 0: Justin Turner
Justin Turner is often regarded as the best hitter on the Dodgers despite his struggles to start this season. And while some may argue that Matt Kemp and Max Muncy have taken over, or that it is Corey Seager, Justin Turner definitely has one of the best bats in all of baseball when he is hot.
Turner has failed to go on a prolonged hot streak at the plate that has left his numbers in a mediocre state. While Turner certainly is not doing terrible, he is not playing like the Justin Turner we are used to.
Against an inexperienced pitcher in Deck McGuire, who owns a 7.56 ERA on the season, Turner should have the opportunity to capitalize with a big hit. With such a short left-field line, Turner is in prime position to blast a high, looping home run that gets five rows into the seats down the line.
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If not, Turner hopefully will be able to set the table early in the game and give the Dodgers a good outlook from the get-go. They are going to need it to rebound from last night’s loss.