Dodgers implode in 9th after comeback

The Dodgers were incredibly sloppy in the bottom of the ninth inning, culminating in a bizarre passed ball and throwing error combination by Yasmani Grandal, giving the Angels a walk-off, throw-off 3-2 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

Seemingly nothing went the Dodgers’ way in the home half of the ninth, starting with Ben Revere reaching with one out on a fielding error by Chris Taylor at shortstop. Revere moved to second on a wild pitch by Pedro Baez, before the unbelievable final play.

Baez struck out Cameron Maybin, seemingly for the second out of the inning, but the ball got by Grandal for a passed ball. Grandal still had plenty of time to throw out Maybin at first, but double clutched and threw wildly to first base, where Chase Utley inexplicably tried to stay on the bag while catching the ball and had no chance as the ball went down the line in right field, allowing the speedy Revere to trot home with the game-winner.

This was just minutes after Grandal was the hero of the game for the Dodgers.

Down 2-1, they were down to their last strike in the ninth inning when Grandal launched a slider from Cam Bedrosian over the center field wall to tie the score.

The Dodgers hit two home runs on the night, giving them 47 in June, establishing a new LA Dodgers record for home runs in a month. The only time the franchise has seen more home runs in a month was in 1953, when Brooklyn hit 49 home runs in July then did the same in August.

Tough luck for Ryu

Two balls hit by Andrelton Simmons were the story for Hyun-jin Ryu on Wednesday, who had nothing to show for one of his best starts of the season.

Simmons’ first salvo was a 101-mph rocket single off the right foot or ankle of Ryu in the fourth inning. Ryu stayed on the ground for a few minutes, then limped around the mound for a moment before amazingly staying in.

The game was scoreless at that point, and Ryu remained effective, even striking out two in the fifth inning.

Kole Calhoun greeted Ryu in the sixth with a ground rule double, but Ryu got the next two outs and appeared headed for another scoreless frame.

But that’s when Ryu hung a curveball to Simmons, who deposited it well over the left field wall for the first runs of the game.

Those were the first runs Ryu has ever allowed to the Angels in his career, in three starts and in his 22nd inning against them.

Ryu never got to complete the sixth, because he allowed two more singles after the home run then was pulled. Grant Dayton walked a batter to load the bases, then Revere drove a ball deep to right field that seemed ticketed for extra bases and at least two runs. But Yasiel Puig was able to track it down for the catch to end the frame, his second highlight defensive play in three days.

Effectively wild

Alex Meyer walked five batters in the first three innings, but the Dodgers were unable to capitalize. They managed just one hit against Meyer in six innings — a fourth-inning single by Grandal — and didn’t score against him.

Meyer became the first pitcher to walk five or more against the Dodgers while allowing no runs since Kris Johnson of the Twins in the second game of a doubleheader on May 1, 2014. The last pitcher to do so in five or more innings was Randy Wolf with the Brewers in 2011.

The Dodgers got one run back in the eighth inning, when Trayce Thompson greeted reliever Keynan Middleton with a home run to left field. It was the first hit of the year in the majors for Thompson, who was 0-for-13 before that blast.

Justin Turner nearly added another home run against Middleton, but his drive to right center field died on the warning track and fell into the waiting glove of Cameron Maybin to end the eighth.

Up next

The Dodgers go for a Freeway Series split on Thursday night, and will send ace Clayton Kershaw to the mound in the Anaheim finale. The Angels will counter with right-hander JC Ramirez.

Wednesday particulars

Home runs: Trayce Thompson (1), Yasmani Grandal (10); Andrelton Simmons (8)

WP - Cam Bedrosian (2-0): 1 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 1 strikeout

LP - Pedro Baez (0-1): ⅓ IP, 1 unearned run, 1 strikeout