Diamondbacks stop Dodger countdown for one night

The Dodgers made their quest to win a sixth straight NL West division title that much harder as they were beaten 4-3 on Eduardo Escobar’s walk-off home run off Kenta Maeda on Tuesday night. Escobar’s home run ended a game that featured a Dodger game with many highs and lows.

In the top of the ninth inning, the Dodgers were down by a run. Kiké Hernández singled and then on his attempt to steal second, a bad throw allowed him to take third base with no outs. Chris Taylor worked a full-count and then hit a ground-rule double to tie the game.

But as they had done in the eighth inning, the Dodgers were unable to score a run with a man on second base and no outs.

Brad Boxberger went from blowing another save to getting the win. Boxberger did get through Joc Pederson, Justin Turner and Max Muncy after surrending the run but it seems that was more of the Dodgers not being able to capitalize on a great chance to take the lead.

Earlier, it seemed like Cody Bellinger’s solo home run would be enough because Walker Buehler was mowing down Diamondbacks. Through five innings, Buehler had faced just one batter over the minimum.

But then, we are reminded that In baseball, things can change in a few pitches. With two outs in the sixth inning, Buehler gave up a single, a walk and a double gave the Diamondbacks their first lead of the night and the game was changed from that point on.

The Dodgers got Buehler off the hook when Grandal led off the seventh inning with a booming triple off the centerfield wall. Tim Locastro scored the easiest run of the season when he scored on Hernández’s single. But the Dodgers would score no more.

Dylan Floro would give up the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh when he gave up three hits and did not retire any of the four batters he faced.

Neither team did much with runners in scoring position but the Dodgers appeared to be just one hit away from maybe piling on runs like they have been doing in recent days.

Now they know that while they need to win their own games to win the West, they will need some help to win the division.

Up Next

The Dodgers and Diamondbacks conclude their 2018 regular season series with Ross Stripling making his 21st start of the season (8-5, 2.84) against Zack Greinke (14-11, 3.21). First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. PDT.

Tuesday Particulars

Home Runs: Cody Bellinger (24), Eduardo Escobar (23)

WP: Brad Boxberger (3-7): 1 IP, 2 hits, 1run

LP: Kenta Maeda (8-10): 0 IP, 1 home run