Dodgers get swept by Marlins in 4-game series for first time ever

The Dodgers ended a thoroughly upsetting four-game series with yet another frustrating loss, this one a 5-3 defeat to the Marlins for Miami's first-ever four-game sweep of the Dodgers.

This series was so distasteful that it couldn't even end with just a loss. Even that was overshadowed by the shocking news of an 80-game suspension of Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon for testing positive for a pair of performance enhancing drugs.

The Dodgers offense showed brief signs of life, scoring two runs in the first inning, increasing their opening-frame advantage on the season to 21-8. But then the offense was pretty much put to sleep after that, something that has happened far too often this season.

Jose Fernandez was the culprit for most of that Dodgers offensive suppression, with eight strikeouts in his six innings.

But even then, he left trailing, thanks to yet another strong start by Kenta Maeda, who cruised into the seventh inning with a 2-1 lead, allowing only a solo home run to J.T. Realmuto in the second inning. When the seventh inning began, Maeda had allowed just two runs in 31⅓ innings in his major league career.

But with two on and two outs and Maeda getting stretched for his highest pitch count to date (101 pitches), and before you could say Clostebol, Gordon grounded a single into left field to tie the game at 2-2.

That ended Maeda's night and brought in Pedro Baez, who allowed another single for the go-ahead run and then balked with Gordon on third, putting Miami up 4-2.

The Dodgers offense, which scored eight runs in the four-game series, has left their pitching staff no margin for error. But on the margins, especially in this series, the Dodgers have seen diminishing returns.

Baez has allowed six of his eight inherited runners to score this season, but then charged one to his own ledger, allowing a solo home run to Giancarlo Stanton in the eighth, putting an exclamation point on the end of an ugly series.

Up next

The Dodgers hit the reset button with the Padres in town for three games beginning Friday night, with Cesar Vargas making his second MLB start. The Dodgers will counter with Alex Wood.

Thursday particulars

Home runs: J.T. Realmuto (2), Giancarlo Stanton (7)

WP -  Jose Fernandez (2-2): 6 IP, 5 hits, 2 uns, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts

LP - Kenta Maeda (3-1): 6⅔ IP,  7 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts

Sv - A.J. Ramos (6): 1 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 2 strikeouts