Image Source: Los Angeles Times
The Brewers Dodgers game turned into a painful late-inning collapse Thursday night, as Milwaukee rallied for a 5-4 victory at Dodger Stadium. Edwin Díaz surrendered a two-run lead in the ninth inning, leaving the Dodgers with another difficult bullpen question as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Díaz gave up three earned runs and recorded his third blown save in four appearances since returning from the injured list. The loss moved Los Angeles to 73-49, two games behind the first-place Brewers, who improved to 75-47. The Dodgers also fell half a game behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League standings.
Edwin Díaz Meltdown Changes the Brewers Dodgers Game
The trouble began almost immediately. Díaz’s second pitch sailed above the strike zone and nearly reached eye level on Milwaukee catcher William Contreras. Although Díaz struck out Contreras to start the inning, the right-hander then allowed four consecutive singles.
Joey Ortiz and David Hamilton hit center-cut fastballs to put runners on the corners. Jackson Chourio followed with an RBI single, cutting the Dodgers’ lead to one run. Garrett Mitchell then singled home the tying run, with both hits coming against sliders.
After Díaz struck out Gary Sánchez, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts removed him with two outs and runners on first and second. Left-hander Alex Vesia entered, but Jake Bauers lined a single through the right side to give Milwaukee the lead.
The Dodgers could not answer in the bottom of the ninth, ending a game that had appeared to be under control only minutes earlier.
Max Muncy Provides Historic Spark Before Collapse
Before the bullpen failure, the Dodgers had received several encouraging performances. Roki Sasaki allowed only two runs over six innings, despite dealing with command problems early in his outing.
Max Muncy supplied the biggest offensive moment with a 426-foot home run that temporarily put Los Angeles ahead. The blast was his 131st career home run at Dodger Stadium, breaking a tie with Eric Karros for the most in franchise history at Chavez Ravine.
That milestone, however, was overshadowed by the ninth-inning breakdown. The Dodgers used five relievers in the game, making the defeat particularly costly against one of the strongest teams in the National League.
Dodgers Bullpen Faces Critical Postseason Test
Díaz joined the Dodgers during the offseason on a three-year, $69-million contract, but his return from arthroscopic elbow surgery has been turbulent. He now has an 11.57 ERA since joining Los Angeles, and his recent command issues have raised questions about whether he should remain the team’s closer.
“I know my ability,” Díaz said after the game, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I know what I can do on the mound. To not be able to do it sucks. I’ve just got to come tomorrow and try to keep getting better.”
Roberts said he was not ready to remove Díaz from ninth-inning duties, largely because other high-leverage relievers have also struggled. Brock Stewart and Will Klein are on the injured list, while Evan Phillips has experienced inconsistency since returning from his own injury.
Meanwhile, Tanner Scott, who served as the Dodgers’ closer during Díaz’s three-month absence, has recorded three consecutive holds but has dealt with uneven velocity. Vesia also has been effective at times, though his costly single Thursday made him part of the late-inning problem.
- Díaz gave up three earned runs in the ninth inning.
- The Dodgers lost a two-run lead against Milwaukee.
- Muncy set a franchise record with his 131st Dodger Stadium home run.
- Los Angeles dropped two games behind the Brewers.
- Roberts said Díaz will continue receiving opportunities to recover.
What Comes Next for Los Angeles?
Roberts acknowledged the bullpen is not operating with the same level of confidence it showed earlier in the season. Less than three weeks ago, he described the group as one of the strongest “trust trees” the Dodgers had assembled in years. Now, injuries and poor recent performances have left the manager with limited reliable options.
“He’s got to find his way,” Roberts said of Díaz. “And he’s got to have a runway to find his way.”
That approach could define the Dodgers’ next several weeks. Díaz remains a major investment and possesses the velocity and postseason experience to become a dominant closer again. But every blown save adds pressure, particularly as Los Angeles battles Milwaukee and Atlanta for playoff positioning.
For now, the Dodgers appear committed to giving Díaz another chance. The next opportunity will show whether Thursday’s collapse was a temporary setback or a warning sign that the team’s late-inning strategy needs an urgent overhaul.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Brewers Dodgers game?
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 after scoring three runs in the ninth inning.
Why did Edwin Díaz struggle?
Díaz struggled with fastball command and allowed four consecutive singles before leaving the game. He also has been working to regain his form after elbow surgery.
Did Max Muncy set a Dodgers record?
Yes. Muncy’s 426-foot home run was his 131st at Dodger Stadium, giving him the most career home runs at the venue in Dodgers history.
Will Edwin Díaz remain the Dodgers’ closer?
Dave Roberts said he was not ready to remove Díaz from the closer role, citing a lack of consistently strong alternatives in the bullpen.
