Coming out of an off day that followed a disappointing road trip, the Los Angeles Dodgers avoided another deflating loss thanks to Gavin Lux hitting his first home run of the season in a 6-4 comeback win against the Seattle Mariners.
Walker Buehler had eight strikeouts over seven innings but surrendered three home runs in the loss. Two of those came to Mitch Haniger, who collected a third career multi-homer game.
Haniger gave the Mariners a 1-0 lead in the first inning and extended it with a second solo blast in the sixth inning. Kyle Seager also homered on the night, with his coming in the fifth inning.
Buehler has now given up at least one home run in six of seven starts this season. “Honestly, I think Walker is doing great for us,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “He’s taking the baseball, every time he’s out there he gives us a chance to win.
“Obviously the expectation for Walker, with the stuff, is a shut out, and I think he expects the same. If I had to poke a hole, each start there has been a mistake they’ve taken advantage of.”
The Dodgers’ offense for most of the night consisted of a solo home run from Max Muncy in the bottom of the fourth. It was Muncy’s third homer in the past week, but first since leaving the yard in back-to-back games against the Chicago Cubs from May 4-5.
That nearly sparked a rally as Chris Taylor followed with a triple, but Sheldon Neuse struck out swinging.
Earlier in the game, the Dodgers had two reach with nobody out in the second inning, only to squander the opportunity. Mookie Betts was stranded after a two-out double in the bottom of the fifth inning.
L.A. had another look in the seventh when Taylor and Gavin Lux both singled with one out. That knocked Mariners starter Yusei Kikuchi out of the game. His 11 strikeouts set a career high and tied with Sonny Gray for most by an opponent against the Dodgers this season.
Anthony Miesewicz was unable to get Seattle out of the jam, as he walked pinch-hitter AJ Pollock to load the bases. Miesewicz then benefitted from a generous strike three call on Mookie Betts, but Corey Seager followed with a two-run single.
The Dodgers completed their comeback in the eighth inning — fittingly with two outs — when Taylor singled and Matt Beaty was hit by a pitch. That set the table for Lux to deliver a game-winning home run.
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