Dodgers can’t solve Reds, again; lose 3-1

For the sixth time this season, the Dodgers couldn’t solve the Reds as they drop the second of a three-game series by the score of 3-1 on Tuesday night in Cincinnati.

Hyun-Jin Ryu took the ball and wasn’t particularly sharp. He got through five innings, but he allowed eight hits, three runs, walked one and struck out six. He allowed solo home runs to former Dodgers’ farmhand Brandon Dixon in the second inning and former Dodger Scott Schebler in the fourth.

Side note: Yeah, that three-way deal that sent Jose Peraza, Dixon and Schebler to the Reds doesn’t look to great now, but hindsight has yet to be defeated. But back to the recap.

Scooter Gennett has tormented the Dodgers this season. He went 2-for-3 with a walk tonight. In six games, he’s 16-for-22 against LA. That isn’t a typo. That’s also insane. Perhaps they should have traded for this fellow because ...

... the offense struggled, again. It mustered just one run, which came off the bat of Joc Pederson. His home run was No. 20 on the season. He’s the fourth Dodger to reach the 20-home run mark, joining Max Muncy (32), Yasmani Grandal (23) and Enrique Hernandez (20). It was also the 19th consecutive game in which the Dodgers have homered, for what it’s worth.

The Dodgers were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position on the night. Their best look at the game came in the seventh inning. Grandal led off with a double. He advanced to third base on wild pitch. Alex Verdugo walked and moved up to second on a fly ball. With runners at second and third and two outs, Yasiel Puig had a great plate appearance that ended in a walk. That brought up pinch-hitter Justin Turner. August National League Player of the Month Justin Turner. Hottest hitter in baseball Justin Turner.

But no, not even he is immune from the Dodgers’ RISP struggles. He got ahead of reliever David Hernandez 2-0 and swing through a hittable fastball to make it a 2-1 count. Then, he expanded the zone, for some reason, and grounded out to shortstop to end the threat.

Let’s give a little credit where it’s due. Reds’ starter Luis Castillo pitched well. By Game Score, it was his third-best start of the season (68). His line: 6 ¹⁄₃ IP, 4 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 1 HR, 7/1 GO/AO, 92 pitches, 60 strikes. He even set down 14 consecutive Dodger hitters at one point. The 25-year-old is immensely talented, even if he has had a rough go of it for the majority of the season.

The Dodger bullpen held the Reds scoreless over the final three frames, but it when the offense produces all of one run, it doesn’t really matter how many runs the bullpen did or didn’t allow.

The Dodgers fall to 78-67 with the loss. They’re currently 2 games behind the Rockies. At press time, Colorado and Arizona are tied 2 in the third inning in Colorado, so that one is far from over. Ross Stripling gets the call for the morning game. He’ll take on Anthony DeSclafani. First pitch from Great American Ballpark is scheduled for 9:35 a.m. Pacific time.

If the Dodgers end up missing the playoffs, losing (at least) six games to the last-place Reds is going to stand out like a clutch hit with runners in scoring position.