Sloppy defense costs Dodgers late in game

An absolute gem of a game from Clayton Kershaw was wasted as the Dodgers’ defense imploded in the seventh inning. They allowed the Padres to score five runs, as it was the dagger in their 7-2 victory. San Diego now trails the Dodgers by only 1.5 games for first place in the NL West.

The game was tied at one and Kershaw went back out there for the seventh. He allowed two singles and was removed from the game with one out and runners on first and second. With 99 pitches already thrown, Kershaw’s night was done and the game was turned over to the bullpen.

That’s when things took a turn for the worse. Lightly hit balls and sloppy defense put the game out of hand quickly. Like, check out the exit velocity on these hits. For those unfamiliar with exit velocity, these balls weren’t hit hard at all.

On top of the Padres barely hitting the ball, Max Muncy really struggled at first base. He fielded a grounder at first, and instead of immediately throwing home to get the runner going home or touching first, he was indecisive and didn’t get an out. The next play, Muncy overthrew second base.

It was just a forgetful seventh inning all together.

Prior to the seventh inning, Kershaw was great for LA. Through six innings, he allowed only one run with no walks and nine strikeouts. It was a vintage Kershaw performance. Unfortunately he would be charged with those two runs that he stranded on base, and his great performance will be overlooked by that awful seventh.

The Dodgers didn’t help their cause, as they scored only two runs on four hits.

Monday particulars

WP: Dinelson Lamet (3-1) 7 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 11 SO

LP: Clayton Kershaw (5-2) 6 ¹⁄₃ IP, 3 ER, 9 SO, 0 BB

HR: Trent Grisham (9) Wil Myers (13)

Box score

Up next

The Dodgers look to even the series tomorrow night as Tony Gonsolin (0-1, 1.57 ERA) takes the mound for LA. First pitch is at 6:10 p.m. PT on SportsNet LA.