Dodgers have trouble scoring runs, fall to the Reds in the opener

LOS ANGELES — It was the same story on a different day for the Dodgers on Thursday night. The offense lacked the big hit when it was needed and they let a close game slip away late to drop the opener to the Reds by the score of 4-1.

The loss means the Dodgers have dropped 11 of the last 16 games.

Walker Buehler has looked great in his limited time in the big leagues this season and was cruising for most of the night before running into trouble in the sixth inning. With two on and two out, Scooter Gennett laced an RBI-double off the wall in center to score a pair for Cincinnati.

Up until the Reds offense came to life, Buehler had retired 14 in a row and had just 58 pitches through five scoreless innings. The 23-year-old would allow just the two runs on five hits while striking out eight with no walks.

“Walker pitched his tail off tonight,” said manager Dave Roberts. “He had no margin for error so he ends up wearing the loss. It’s very frustrating.”

The Dodger offense once again had chances early and often, loading the bases in each of the first two innings. When all was said and done, they would have nine plate appearances with runners in scoring position through three innings.

The only run they could muster came on a Chase Utley single in the first inning.

Tyler Mahle was able to weave his way through the light hitting Dodgers, allowing three hits and the unearned run in his five innings of work. The right-hander looked like he wouldn’t last long when he had 63 pitches through two innings but he would work around four walks to keep the Dodgers off the scoreboard.

The Reds would go on to put up two more runs on the Dodger bullpen, including a Scooter Gennett solo shot to put the game out of reach.

Up next

The Dodgers will get the first look at the Reds new acquisition, Matt Harvey. They will sent Kenta Maeda to the mound to oppose him.

Thursday particulars

Home run: Scooter Gennett (5)

WP - Tyler Mahle (3-4): 5 IP, 3 hits, 4 walks, 2 strikeouts

LP - Walker Buehler (2-1): 6 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 8 strikeouts

Sv - Raisel Iglesias (5): 1 ¹⁄₃ IP, 3 strikeouts