Dodgers offense struggles, will play game 7 on Saturday

It was a rough night for the Dodger offense. David Freese brought in the two lone runs, and was the only player to have an extra-base hit.

Things weren’t any better for Hyun-Jin Ryu, as he had his worst outing of the year. With two outs in the first, the Brewers tacked on four straight hits, bringing in four runs and and jumping out to an early 4-1 lead. Milwaukee wouldn’t squander their lead, as they won 7-2.

With the win, Milwaukee has forced a game 7 on Saturday.

For the fourth time in his career, David Freese led off a game. The decision looked to be the right one, as he homered on the fifth pitch of the game, giving LA an early 1-0 lead. He became the fifth Dodger to ever lead off a postseason game with a homer.

Ryu was an out away from escaping the first inning unharmed. Instead of getting the final out, he allowed four consecutive base hits, allowing the Brewers to score four runs. For the southpaw, it was the first time all season he has allowed four runs in a start.

The Brewers tacked on one more in the second, as back-to-back doubles from Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun would give Milwaukee a four run lead in the second.

Ryu would last only three innings. He allowed five runs on seven hits, as well as issuing two walks. With the chance of a game 7, Dave Roberts had to be cautious with going to the bullpen too soon and using up arms.

“There’s the thought of trying to go to your pen in the first inning or the second inning, but there’s a significant cost potentially for a potential Game 7,” Roberts said. “So I just felt that we needed to get some more innings out of Hyun-Jin to keep our highest leverage guys available for a potential Game 7.”

Freese drove in his second run of the game in the fifth, bringing in Brian Dozier with a double. After a Max Muncy walk, there were runners on first and second with only one out, and arguably LA’s two best hitters due up. Justin Turner flied out, and then public enemy No. 1 Manny Machado struck out.

Through the first five innings, the Dodgers left five on base and were 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.

For the Dodgers, they would not record a base hit for the remainder of the game. A Joc Pederson hit by pitch would be their lone base runner over the course of the final four innings.

The Dodgers will turn to Walker Buehler for the game 7 start on Saturday. “I think Walker is prepared for this moment,” Roberts said. “As far as his rest, he’s ready to go. And as far as his heartbeat, the weapons, all that stuff, we’re in really good shape with him. He understands the magnitude of this moment, this game, and he’s a good person for us to take the baseball.”

Up Next

The Dodgers will turn to their rookie, Walker Buehler, as they look to win their second consecutive National League pennant on Saturday.

Friday Particulars

WP: Corey Knebel (1 ²⁄₃ IP, 0 ER, 2 SO)

LP: Hyun-Jin Ryu (3 IP, 5 ER, 7 H)