Dodgers’ nine-game winning streak snapped in Miami

The Dodgers’ nine-game winning streak came to an end on Monday, as they fell to the Marlins, 5-4.

The Dodgers put two across the board in the third inning. Walker Buehler scorched a double to lead off the inning for his fifth hit of the season. He’d come in to score on a double from Chris Taylor, giving LA the 1-0 lead. Justin Turner brought in Taylor with a single, putting LA up by two runs.

It looked like it was going to be a 1-2-3 bottom of the third for Buehler, but chaos with two outs ensued. After two quick outs, everything just went wrong. He hit Starling Marte with a pitch, putting a runner on. He then proceeded to steal second base. Garrett Cooper followed by singling in Miami’s first run of the game. Cooper then stole second for his first stolen base of the season.

After a single from Adam Duvall put runners at the corners, Miguel Rojas singled in the tying run. Instead of getting out of the inning, an error from Zach McKinstry then allowed the Marlins to score their third run of the inning.

Miami played smart baseball an inning later to put another run on the board. Joe Panik led off the inning with a bunt and then proceeded to steal second base. It was the third stolen base of the game for the Marlins through the fourth inning. Jazz Chisolm Jr. then singled in Panik to give the Marlins the 4-2 lead.

LA had multiple chances to try and tack on more runs but failed to capitalize. Taylor led off the fifth inning with a single, but was stranded there to end the inning. In the seventh inning, the Dodgers had runners on first and second with one out. AJ Pollock and Turner followed with back-to-back strikeouts, ending any chance of a rally.

The Dodgers tied it up in the eighth, but they easily could have had so many more runs. The first four hitters reached base, with three coming via the walk. LA’s deficit was trimmed to only one run. Cody Bellinger came in to pinch hit and just missed hitting a grand slam. And when I mean just missed one... I mean it.

Mookie Betts then came off the bench to pinch hit and walked, loading the bases yet again. Taylor had a golden opportunity, but he flew out into foul territory and couldn’t advance the runners. Pollock was then given three straight sliders down the plate, but he struck out on three pitches to end the inning.

Victor Gonzalez took the eighth, and quickly recorded two outs on six pitches. Needing one more strike to send things to the ninth, he allowed the go-ahead and ultimately the game-winning home run to Jorge Alfaro. It was only his third homer of the year.

The Dodgers still had a chance in the ninth. Turner reached base to begin the inning, which was then turned into Matt Beaty at first base after a forceout. With one out, the Dodgers had two of their top hitters on deck in Will Smith and Max Muncy. Sadly, they couldn’t deliver in the clutch. Smith struck out and Muncy flew out to end the inning.

After the Giants lost, the Dodgers had a chance to take first place of the division. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait at least another day.

Monday particulars

WP: David Hess (1-0) 1 IP, 2 BB

LP: Victor Gonzalez (3-1) 1 IP, 1 ER

SV: Anthony Bender (1) 1 IP, 0 ER

HR: Jorge Alfaro (3)

Box score