Dodgers struggle with runners on base, drop second in a row

The opportunities were there.

Countless times, the Dodgers had runners on base and in scoring position. Unfortunately it would be all for not, as LA dropped their second in a row, losing 5-2.

The Dodgers outhit the Cardinals, but it all came down to timely hitting. With runners in scoring position LA was 1-for-8 where as St. Louis was 2-for-5. All of the Cardinal runs came with two outs.

The Dodgers opened things up in the second, scoring a run the long way. After three consecutive singles, Yasiel Puig stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. On the first pitch, Puig took one off the hand, and gave LA an early 1-0 lead.

For Hyun-Jin Ryu, he came into the contest without allowing a run at Dodger Stadium all year. That streak came to an end in the third inning as the Cardinals tacked on three.

St. Louis executed a two-out rally. Jose Martinez singled to center, bringing in Kolten Wong. Yadier Molina followed with a two-run homer that just cleared the fence, giving the red birds a 3-1 lead.

The Dodgers had a golden opportunity to capitalize in the fourth. Just like last night, they failed to take advantage with runners in scoring position.

LA had runners on second and third with zero outs, and failed to put a run on the board. Puig and Brian Dozier struck out, and Joc Pederson flew out to center.

Over the last two games, the Dodgers are 3-for-21 with runners in scoring position and have left 25 runners on base.

St. Louis added two runs on two pitches in the seventh. Tyler O’Neill was hit by a pitch, and Marcell Ozuna followed with a two-run shot to give the Cardinals a four run cushion.

LA would add one in the bottom half of the inning on a Manny Machado home run.

There was a chance for the Dodgers to rally in the eighth, but a costly base running mistake by Kike Hernandez ended the inning.

With the D-Backs winning tonight, the Dodgers now are 3.5 games out of first place with 35 games remaining.

Up Next:

The Dodgers will look to salvage a win in the series as Walker Buehler (6-4, 3.19 ERA) squares off against Jack Flaherty (7-6, 3.05 ERA).

Tuesday Particulars:

Home Runs: Yadier Molina (16), Marcell Ozuna (16)

WP: Luke Weaver (7-11) 2.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 SO

LP: Hyun-Jin Ryu (3-1) 4 IP, 3 ER, 4 SO

SV: Bud Norris (26) 1 IP, 0 H