Dodgers Comeback Falls Short in Series Opener Against Nationals
The Los Angeles Dodgers fresh off their series loss to the Philadelphia Phillies came into Washington D.C. in hopes to start the series with a win against the Washington Nationals Monday night. Shohei Ohtani kept up his high play volume with a three-for-four night at the plate, just a double shy of hitting for the cycle. Dustin May took the bump in this one pitching six innings, allowing three runs, three hits, walking three, and striking just one batter on the night.
Rookie Dylan Crews, who had been struggling mightily coming into the game batting .094, got things started in the second inning with a fielder’s choice that allowed Paul DeJong to score from third. James Wood would cap off the inning via a fielding error from Miguel Rojas to put the Nationals up 2-0 early. The Dodgers responded immediately the following inning, with Ohtani hitting his fourth home run of the year with a two-run shot to tie the ball game up. In just two innings it was a back-and-forth start with Nathaniel Lowe putting the Nationals back up in the bottom half of the third with an RBI single.
Fast forward to the bottom of the seventh, the Dodgers bullpen imploded, with Anthony Banda allowing two runs. Banda recorded just one out as he came into the outing spotless in five innings of work to start the year. The Nationals tacked on one more run in the inning after Banda was replaced by Matt Sauer who made his season debut. It was make or break time for the Dodgers as in back-to-back games they would have to scratch and claw their way back into a game.
In typical Dodgers fashion, they made the game interesting as they added two runs in the top of the eighth inning to cut the lead in half. The offense did most of their damage on Lucas Sims, as the Nationals bullpen continued its early season struggles. Closer Brandon Finnegan stopped the bleeding, as he notched the final out ending the Dodgers’ threat. The appearance for Finnegan marked his third straight day of pitching, fatigue was a factor the Dodgers could hope to attack in the final inning.
Once the Dodgers last chance commenced, Max Muncy led off the inning with a double. The following two batters were unable to bring Muncy home. Ohtani stepped in and had a chance to tie things up, but it was not fate as he drew a walk. Mookie Betts grounded out to seal the deal for the Nationals, as they grabbed the series opener. With the loss the Dodgers now fall to 9-3 and third in the NL West.
The biggest concern for the Dodgers bats as of right now continues to be the bottom half of the order. With the biggest concern being Rojas and Enrique Hernández. The two batters are a combined 5-55. Muncy has added little to no value as well, struggling early with a batting average of .184, going seven for 38 at the plate. The Dodgers will look to get the bats going and tie up the series in Tuesday’s game.
