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Edwin Diaz and the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered another painful setback Friday night, losing 4-3 to the Arizona Diamondbacks on a dramatic walk-off home run. The defeat marked the Dodgers’ seventh consecutive loss, their longest losing streak of the season and a stunning downturn for the two-time defending World Series champions.
With the game tied late, Arizona rookie Ryan Waldschmidt stepped to the plate and delivered the biggest hit of his young career. He launched a two-run homer against Diaz into the left-center-field seats, giving the Diamondbacks an unforgettable victory and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Edwin Diaz Struggles Again in Crushing Dodgers Loss
Diaz entered the game with the Dodgers hoping to protect a narrow lead, but the closer could not finish the job. Waldschmidt connected with a hanging slider and drove it out of the ballpark for his second career home run and his first major league walk-off blast.
“It’s the slider,” Diaz said after the game, according to the Associated Press. “The fastball was great today, but I missed the slider right in the middle. I think I was trying to be perfect with the pitch, and I’m missing right in the middle.”
The outing added to a difficult season for the veteran reliever. Diaz now has an 11.00 ERA over 11 appearances this season, a surprising number for a three-time All-Star who signed a three-year, $69 million contract with Los Angeles during the offseason.
Diaz returned from the injured list on July 29, but his results since coming back have not provided the Dodgers with the late-inning stability they expected. His latest blown opportunity came at a particularly difficult moment, as Los Angeles continues to search for answers during an unexpected slump.
Rookie Ryan Waldschmidt Delivers Explosive Walk-Off Moment
Waldschmidt’s home run instantly became the defining moment of the game. The rookie stayed ready for a mistake, recognized the slider’s location and punished the pitch with a powerful swing.
For Arizona, the victory was more than just another win over a division rival. The Diamondbacks are now 7½ games behind Los Angeles in the National League West, but the result showed that the Dodgers remain vulnerable despite their considerable talent and sizable lead in the standings.
“A loss is a loss, but to get walked off never feels good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “We didn’t play a clean game, a great game, on either side of the baseball, but we did enough to put ourselves in position to win a game.”
Dodgers Face Urgent Bullpen Questions
Roberts acknowledged that Diaz has struggled since returning from the injured list. However, the manager indicated that the Dodgers are not immediately committed to replacing him as their primary closer because there is no obvious alternative currently dominating the bullpen.
“Honestly, you’ve got to look at the options,” Roberts said. “The way some of these guys are throwing, they’re not throwing great either.”
That situation creates a difficult challenge for Los Angeles. The club has championship expectations, and close games in October are often decided by the reliability of a team’s relief pitching. If Diaz cannot regain his form, the Dodgers may need to explore a committee approach or find another dependable arm before the postseason.
- Edwin Diaz has an 11.00 ERA over 11 outings.
- Ryan Waldschmidt hit his first major league walk-off home run.
- The Dodgers have lost seven straight games.
- Los Angeles is 10-16 since July 5.
- The Dodgers still lead the National League West by 7½ games.
Star-Studded Dodgers Still Have Time to Recover
Despite the alarming losing streak, the Dodgers remain one of baseball’s most talented teams. The lineup includes Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and Kyle Tucker, while the pitching staff recently added ace left-hander Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline.
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell is also scheduled to return Tuesday after missing most of the season because of injuries. His comeback, combined with Skubal’s arrival, could significantly strengthen the rotation and reduce pressure on the bullpen.
Still, the Dodgers cannot ignore the warning signs. Los Angeles was swept by the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs before Friday’s loss, and the team’s 10-16 record since July 5 has raised questions about its consistency. The margin in the division remains comfortable, but repeated late-game failures could become a major problem if they continue.
“We’ve just got to play better,” Roberts said before the game. “With the talent we have, we’ve just got to play good baseball and it’ll take care of itself.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Edwin Diaz
Why did the Dodgers lose to the Diamondbacks?
The Dodgers lost 4-3 after Arizona rookie Ryan Waldschmidt hit a two-run walk-off home run against Edwin Diaz in the late innings.
What is Edwin Diaz’s ERA this season?
Diaz currently has an 11.00 ERA over 11 outings for the Dodgers this season.
Will the Dodgers replace Edwin Diaz as closer?
Dave Roberts said the team would evaluate its options, but there is no clear replacement currently established as the new closer.
How many games have the Dodgers lost in a row?
The Dodgers have dropped seven consecutive games, their longest losing streak of the season.
Are the Dodgers still leading the NL West?
Yes. Los Angeles still holds a 7½-game lead over Arizona in the National League West despite its recent struggles.
