Errors Hurt Clayton Kershaw And Dodgers As Marlins Snap Losing Streak
After winning the series opener Friday night the Los Angeles Dodgers looked to push their small winning streak to four games as they faced a Miami Marlins team that lost slugger Giancarlo Stanton for four to six weeks with a broken bone in his left wrist.
Tom Koehler got Joc Pederson and Howie Kendrick swinging for two quick outs in the top of the first inning. He then became the latest pitcher who was unable to cool off Justin Turner as the third baseman hit a solo home run to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. Koehler struck out the side by getting Adrian Gonzalez swinging.
The Dodgers’ lead didn’t last long as the Marlins answered right back. Christian Yelich reached on a chopper that bounced over Kershaw’s head and Jimmy Rollins’ throw was late. Yelich then went first to third on Adeiny Hechavarria’s base hit to right field. Andre Ethier’s throw to third got by Turner and a poor backup attempt from Kershaw, and rolled into the Marlins’ dugout.
Yelich scored on the play and Hechavarria took third. Kershaw then bounced a pitch in the dirt that hit Yasmani Grandal in the chest and rolled between his legs. Grandal failed to find the ball, allowing Hechavarria to score and the Marlins to take a 2-1 lead.
After Koehler retired the Dodgers in order in the second inning, the Marlins took advantage of another Dodger miscue. J.T. Realmuto hit a leadoff double and was standing on third two outs later. Koehler hit a line drive to center field that Pederson initially started in on and tried to compensate for it by making a relatively easy leaping catch.
The ball squirted out of Pederson’s glove and the Marlins’ lead grew to 3-1 before Kershaw could get out of the inning. The Dodgers again went away quietly in the third with the inning ending on Pederson’s second strikeout of the game.
Yelich reached on another infield single in the bottom of the third, this time one that Kershaw attempted to reach behind his back to snag. Nothing came of it however, as Hechavarria grounded into an inning-ending double play.
CONTINUE READING: Dodgers’ Comeback Bid Falls Short
