Offense goes quiet as Dodgers lose series finale in extras

Scoring runs against the D-Backs hasn’t been an issue for the Dodgers this season. Coming into today’s contest, LA was averaging nine runs per game against Arizona. The bats went cold, scoring only two runs as they dropped the series finale 3-2 in the 11th.

After Ross Stripling threw two brilliant innings in the ninth and 10th, he was relieved by Scott Alexander to begin the 11th. Eduardo Escobar got things started with a lead-off triple, putting the winning run only 90 feet from home. Ketel Marte was then intentionally walked, putting runners on the corners for David Peralta.

Instead of walking Peralta to load the bases, Alexander opted to pitch to him. The move was questionable, as left-handed hitters are hitting .344 off Alexander this season, as opposed to righties hitting only .118. Peralta took advantage, making contact with the first pitch he saw, singling to right to end the game.

Early on, it looked like Kenta Maeda was going to pick up his eighth win of the season. He continued his hot stretch of pitching by allowing one run and striking out seven. It was also his fourth straight start where he walked one batter or less. Arizona only had two hits off Maeda when he was taken out.

Instead of letting Maeda face the lineup a third time, manager Dave Roberts opted to go to his bullpen. He turned to Julio Urias, who threw two scoreless innings, striking out three and not allowing a base-runner.

The only two runs of the afternoon came from a two-run homer at the hands of Will Smith. For Smith, it was his second career home run. Though we don’t know yet, it was likely Smith’s last game with the Dodgers for a while. With Austin Barnes expected to be activated from the injured list on Friday, it’s expected that Smith will be the corresponding move, being optioned back to OKC where he’ll be able to get consistent at-bats.

Pedro Baez pitched the eighth. He hit Tim Locastro with a pitch, who then advanced to second on a ground-out. Needing only one out to escape the inning, an unlucky hop on a grounder from Jarrod Dyson went into right field, tying the game at two a piece.

Stripling pitched two scoreless innings after, getting out of a potential jam in the 10th. He put runners on first and second with no outs, but worked around it to get the Dodgers out of the inning and send them to the 11th.

Yet again, LA’s offense couldn’t put any runs on the board. For the game, they were 7-for-39, and were 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.

Wednesday particulars

WP: Zack Godley (2-4) 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 SO

LP: Scott Alexander (3-2) 1 ER, 2 H

Home runs: Will Smith (2)

Up next

The Dodgers have on off-day tomorrow, as they travel to San Francisco to take on the Giants for three games. Clayton Kershaw will take the mound for LA on Friday. First pitch is at 7:15 p.m. PT.