It appears the All-Star break has come early for the Dodgers.
Because, based on their performance the past few days, it looks like they’re already on vacation.
The most recent example came in Saturday night’s 9-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
There was more faltering defense, continuing a trend that cost the Dodgers two games earlier this week. There was also an uncharacteristic collapse from All-Star outfielder Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who gave up five of his six runs in a sixth-inning collapse that put the score out of reach.
But this time, it was a half-hearted offense that served as a glaring example of their latest ineptitude.
For five innings, the Dodgers did nothing against Arizona starter Brandon Pvadt. And even after they shut him out with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, they wasted a chance to continue building the rally and get back into the game.
Instead, they meekly rolled over the rest of the evening, watching Landon Knaack get out of the bullpen in his first appearance of the season and give up three more runs to make matters worse.
What does it mean
The Dodgers may already be on their way to October.
But that doesn’t mean they can sleepwalk their way to continued success.
On Saturday, they were hurt by two errors at third base from Max Muncy, who committed a throwing error in the third inning and couldn’t stop a double down the line from Tim Tawa in the sixth inning.
And last time, Yamamoto couldn’t deny the mistake either. Instead, he followed up an intentional walk to Nolan Arenado by delivering a three-run homer to James McCann, giving him a season-high six runs allowed this season.
Who’s hot?
on saturday? There isn’t much of anyone in the Dodgers lineup.
The night began with a nine-game winning streak against Pvadt, who was making his sixth start of the season after being knocked out of the bullpen. Then came several missed opportunities, including a two-out, no-out opportunity in the fourth inning and a short-lived lead in the sixth.
A double from Tommy Edman and RBI singles from Andy Pages and Mookie Betts got the Dodgers on the board in that final frame, forcing Arizona to resort to the bullpen with Muncy and Kyle Tucker on deck.
However, the change in pitching to left-hander Brandin Garcia worked perfectly, as Muncy struck out third, and Tucker frustratingly belted the shortstop.
Overall, the Dodgers finished the night with just six hits and were 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Who is not
Knack made his long-awaited return to the major leagues on Saturday, as he was activated from the injured list before the game after a lengthy rehab stint in Oklahoma City.
However, his first appearance of the season did not go well, as the right-hander gave up one quick run in the seventh and a two-run solo home run to Arenado and McCann (his second of the night) in the eighth.
The Knack was only activated now because the Dodgers — who had just come off a bullpen on Friday night — needed to cover the bullpen.
Struggling right-hander Kyle Hurt was optioned up in a similar move, but manager Dave Roberts said he expects Hurt to return to the team at some point during the second half.
the next
The Dodgers will try to avoid getting sidetracked heading into the first inning on Sunday, pitting Emmett Sheehan (4-6, 4.91 ERA) against Arizona rookie Mitch Pratt (who is replacing an injured Zach Gallen).