July 31st, 2024 at 10:15 am 
by Ron Cervenka The Dodgers scored five runs in the top of the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday evening … and lost.
That was not only inexcusable for a team considered by many to be among the best in the game this season, it was downright embarrassing.
After leading off the game with a five-pitch walk, Dodgers international superstar Shohei Ohtani promptly stole second base (his team-leading 28th) and took third on a single to center by Dodgers catcher Will Smith and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by second baseman Gavin Lux.
1-0 good guys with one out.
Unfortunately, Dodgers recently red-hot (and recent All-Star) right fielder Teoscar Hernández struck out swinging after a seven-pitch at-bat
1-0 good guys with two outs.
Dodgers popular right fielder Jason Heyward followed with a double to right, advancing Smith to third base.
Still 1-0 good guys with two outs.
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages followed with a single up the middle, scoring Smith and Heyward.
3-0 good guys with two outs.
Dodgers first baseman Cavan Biggio followed with a two-run home run to right field.
5-0 good guys with two outs.
Struggling Dodgers third baseman Kiké Hernández (.200) ended the inning (and the entire Dodgers offense on the night) – on a THREE-PITCH strikeout.
5-0 good guys.
Over the next eight innings, the Dodgers managed only four additional hits – all singles – for seven total, finishing their embarrassing night going 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position while stranding eight runners on base.
Not so for the San Diego Padres, who scored one in the bottom of the second (5-1 Dodgers), two in the bottom of the third (5-3 Dodgers), two in the bottom of the ninth (5-5), and walked it off in the bottom of the 10th, with placed-runner Ha-Seong Kim scoring on a single to left by Padres pinch-hitter Donovan Solano off of Dodgers left-hander Alex Vesia (in relief of Dodgers right-hander Blake Treinen, who blew the save) to gift the Padres the 6-5 walk-off win.
“Outside of, you know, the last Houston outing, (Treinen) hadn’t given up a run, you know, the month of July,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts answered, when asked of Treinen’s recent struggles. “So, you know, he was still very very good, and umm, it’s just obviously the last two, it hurts, it’s… it’s more recent. But again, you know, before, you know, three days ago, or two days ago, three days ago, whatever it was, he hasn’t given up a run in a month. So, it’s one of those things that it happens, he’s gonna give up runs, and… and just, unfortunately, just kind of, you know, collectively, it’s just so we feel a little bit more of late.”
Sound familiar?
(SportsNet LA)
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Well, you know, Roberts still hasn’t learned, you know, how to manage his bullpen and you know, his starting pitchers. And you know, still keeps his job. Friedman’s boy!
Dodgers bullpen switching games from the win column to the loss column.
Can’t go on like this. With all of the injuries no Betts Muncie or Freeman (family leave) we must win the winnable games.
Inexplicably, the Dodgers only added Kopech to the bullpen when they needed another quality LH’er — either AJ Puk (Dbacks got him), or Tanner Scott (Padres got him). Late inning guys Treinen, Hudson, and Philips havee all struggled of late and while Vesia’s stats are top notch, we Dodgers fans have learned to hold our collective breaths when he comes in. Roberts misuse of the bullpen is directly related to Friedman/Gomes not doing enough to reinforce a tired group of relievers.