The Dodgers see leads slip in Milwaukee series finale
by Megan Garcia
The Dodgers lead the National League in wins and run differential. But they’re feeling the heat of two National League West rivals.
The Dodgers dropped the series finale to the Brewers 6–4 on Thursday in Milwaukee. Their lead in the NL West hasdwindled to two games over the Diamondbacks and Padres. It’s their shortest lead in the division since April 24.
They lost consecutive games in Milwaukee after a five-game winning streak. Arizona and San Diego were both off on Thursday. The Diamondbacks are 18–3 in their last 21 games. The Padres are 19–3 in their last 22.
The Dodgers held a 4–3 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth inning until the Brewers tagged high-leverage reliever Daniel Hudson for three runs. It’s the fourth time in 51 appearances that Hudson has allowed multiple runs in a game.
“I felt really good about (Hudson) starting the eighth,” Roberts said. “It just went awry in that inning. It’s one of those things that happens, but very uncharacteristic for (Hudson).”
The Dodgers worked their way out of a deficit after the Brewers scored three runs off Jack Flaherty in the first inning.
The right-hander’s day ended after five innings — his shortest start since joining the Dodgers. Flaherty threw 93 pitches, allowed four hits, three earned runs, two walks and struck out seven.
“Just didn’t make very good pitches,” Flaherty said. “I didn’t make the pitches that I should. We did a good job after that (first inning). I got in sync, I was able to get through the rest of game, make some good pitches from there, keep them at the three runs, give us a chance and the guys brought it back.”
Defensive miscues from the Brewers opened the door for the Dodgers to even the game in the third inning. Milwaukee third baseman Willy Adames misfired a throw to second base on a routine groundball by Miguel Rojas. Gavin Lux found himself at third and Rojas at first.
Jason Heyward plated Lux with a groundout and Andy Pages doubled in Rojas. The Dodgers trailed, 3–2, entering the third inning. Lux tied the game at 3 in the third when he ripped a single to center field to drive in Freddie Freeman.
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Kiké Hernández gave the Dodgers a 4–3 lead in the sixth inning when he punched a single to right field for Lux to score. The ball was handed to the bullpen to keep the game intact for the Dodgers.
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Where They Stand
The Dodgers (71–51) begin a three-game series on Friday in St. Louis against the Cardinals (60–61).
The Dodgers see leads slip from their grasp in Milwaulee series finale was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.