Dave Roberts is frustrated with the Dodgers lack of production

The Dodgers are bad on offense and that’s a problem. They have no issue getting runners on base but can’t drive in the actual runs necessary to win baseball games.

Dave Roberts sounded as frustrated as he ever has in managing the Dodgers after Thursday night’s loss to the Reds.

“If you can’t make adjustments mechanically, there’s going to be some empty at-bats and that’s what’s happening,” said Roberts. “This isn’t a try league, everyone is trying. You’ve got to get production.”

The Dodgers only scored one run despite loading the bases in each of the first two innings. Chase Utley’s RBI-single in the first was only the sixth hit the Dodgers have produced with runners in scoring position in their last 47 at-bats.

Going further, Utley’s single is one of just five hits the Dodgers have in 35 plate appearances with the bases loaded this season.

“The bottom line is we had (Tyler Mahle) on the hook tonight,” Roberts said. “60-something pitches after two, 80-something pitches after three, he ends up going five innings. The last six innings their pitching staff faced the minimum.”

It’s not just that the hits aren’t there when they need it. Roberts is also frustrated with the situational hitting from his team.

“You’ve got to make an adjustment and a prime example is Chase tonight,” said Roberts. “There are times to take a chance on getting a bigger swing and looking for more damage, and there are times to shorten up and get a run in.”

“You have to have different clubs in your bag. When you have one club, you get exposed. When you look at our lineup, there are some guys with one club right now and it doesn’t translate to production.”

While the offense is having a hard time keeping up, the bullpen has struggled to keep the Dodgers in games when they’re behind. After Thursday’s game, Dodger relievers have now given up 75 runs, second only to the Marlins (96) in the National League.

“When you can’t get separation it stresses everyone,” Roberts said. “We’ve got to be better in all facets of the game, to be quite honest.”

Even more maddening to Roberts is that his team is 8-10 at home which he said is “unacceptable.”