The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a fourth straight loss on Saturday night, with it coming in walk-off fashion to the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in a second consecutive game. The Dodgers once again were unable to maintain a late lead, and went on to lose in the 11th inning.
It was particularly frustrating as the Padres’ walk-off win came on a trio of walks issued by Chin-Hui Tsao to bring a run in with two outs as Wil Myers had already reached on a leadoff single. The Dodgers had the go-ahead runner reach base in the 10th inning on a Joc Pederson leadoff walk.
However, Yasiel Puig followed with a strikeout, Yasmani Grandal hit into a force out, and pinch-hitter Howie Kendrick struck out. With J.P. Howell entering to pitch the bottom half of the inning, he delivered his warm-up tosses to Kiké Hernandez.
Grandal, who was checked on by trainers between innings, was replaced by A.J. Ellis. According to AM 570 LA Sports Radio DodgerTalk host David Vassegh, Grandal was removed due to a right ankle contusion that stemmed from a foul ball:
Yasmani Grandal left the game with a Right Ankle contusion. #Dodgers
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) May 22, 2016
There was enough concern over the injury that Grandal was sent for X-rays, per Andy McCullough of the LA Times:
Yasmani Grandal went to get an X-ray on his ankle.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) May 22, 2016
The X-ray came back negative, though Grandal will not start the series finale on Sunday, via J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News:
Yasmani Grandal got x-rays on ankle postgame. A.J. Ellis starts tomorrow.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) May 22, 2016
Grandal finished 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. He’s batting .196/.275/.361 over 30 games, which is a far cry from the production he put forth during the first half last season.
More information on Grandal’s availability is expected to come Sunday morning. The Dodgers are already playing with a shortened bench (four players) due to carrying eight relievers at present time.
Manager Dave Roberts previously indicated they’d maintain such a roster construction through their upcoming series three-game against the Cincinnati Reds.
