The Los Angeles Dodgers went into Wednesday’s game against the Oakland Athletics in position to sweep their first series of the season and extend an Interleague home winning streak to 11 games. Both possibilities went up in flames.
Normally, six runs and 12 hits would suffice for a Dodgers pitching staff that’s been among the best in recent seasons. But such was not the case in the finale of the two-game set with the A’s.
Alex Wood managed to pitch just 3.2 innings, though he was hurt by Chase Utley’s error that led to four runs scoring. The Dodgers bullpen did little to back Wood, as they allowed nine runs (six were charged to Wilmer Font).
Oakland finished with 21 hits in their 16-6 rout at Dodger Stadium. It was the first time the Dodgers allowed at least 16 runs and 20 hits in a home game since 2013.
Following their loss, manager Dave Roberts matter of factly stated his team was soundly defeated, via SportsNet LA:
“It didn’t start out well for us, obviously. We didn’t play well. We got outplayed. You don’t see it very often but tonight we got our butts kicked in every part of the game. Credit to those guys. We have an off day, then we have to come back and try to win a baseball game.”
The Dodgers had a modest two-game winning streak snapped and now sit at 4-7 on the season. They’ve yet to gain any traction and face another off day before opening a three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
While the weekend set will be played at Dodger Stadium instead of Chase Field, it’s the same Diamondbacks club that is not long removed from sweeping the Dodgers. Arizona also has an off day and will enter the three-game set with a 9-3 record that has them atop the National League West.
