Dodgers drop fifth straight with familiar script

The Dodgers can’t buy a win right now. Their bullpen — given little room for error again — surrendered another ninth inning run to follow the script that has played itself out over the past few days.

Strong starting pitching, followed by a struggling bullpen that gives up the lead, with the offense giving nearly no support.

It was the fifth straight night Los Angeles came out on the losing end, falling to the Giants by the score of 2-1.

The loss drops the Dodgers to third place outright, two games behind the Diamondbacks in the NL West and one game behind the Rockies.

Managing just two hits — both by Justin Turner — against San Francisco starter Andrew Suarez, the Dodgers were down 1-0 in the eighth. With two outs, Turner doubled for the third time on the night to give Manny Machado a shot at tying the game.

It would happen on the very next pitch with a line drive to left field, scoring Turner from second, waking up a quiet Dodger Stadium. After Machado stole second, Kiké Hernandez would strike out to end the threat.

Hernandez is now 7-for-49 (.143) when hitting in the cleanup spot this year.

In an all to familiar scene in the ninth, Kenta Maeda allowed two singles in his first relief appearance since joining the bullpen. Maeda battled back to eliminate a sacrifice bunt, getting the out at third, then striking out Steven Duggar. That brought Alen Hanson to the plate.

Hanson, who already singled in the Giants only run to that point back in the second inning, smacked a single to center. With Brandon Belt running and Hernandez throwing in center, the Dodgers had a shot to get out of the inning. But Hernandez sailed it to the right of Grandal and the Dodger catcher couldn't hold on to get him.

There may have been further damage if it weren't for Austin Slater trying to score behind Belt after the ball skipped away from Grandal. Maeda quickly jumped on it and tossed it to Grandal to nab Slater.

The Dodgers had another shot in the ninth when Cody Bellinger legged out an infield single and stole second. But lefty Will Smith struck out Grandal and pinch-hitter Max Muncy to seal the game.

Alex Wood held the Giants to one run over five innings in his return from the disabled list. It wasn’t nearly enough for an offense that has scored just 30 runs over the last 11 games.

The “Brawl”

Things went a little sideways in the bottom of the seventh when Yasiel Puig got into it with catcher Nick Hundley. Puig had yelled an expletive after missing what he thought was a pitch he should’ve handled.

Hundley said something in Puig’s direction and the Dodger outfielder didn’t shy away from contact.

Up Next

The Dodgers look to avoid the sweep when they send Hyun-jin Ryu (3-0, 2.12) to the mound to face Derek Holland (6-8, 3.97)

Tuesday particulars

Home runs: none

WP - Sam Dyson (3-2): 1 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 1 strikeout

LP - Maeda (7-8): 1 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 strikeout

SV - Will Smith (10): 1 IP, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts