The rain may have been coming down in Atlanta, but a storm is brewing in Los Angeles, as the Dodgers were swept by the Braves in embarrassing fashion.
Rookie starter Matt Magill provided most of the Dodgers highlights during Sunday’s 5-2 loss to Atlanta, and he did not even have a great outing.
Magill showed improved command and effectiveness than in previous starts, allowing three walks and striking out eight. He was in line for the win despite only lasting five innings on 96 pitches.
Magill’s outing was spoiled by the bullpen and a lack of hitting. He was left with a no decision but would have gotten the loss, if not for Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez.
Crawford reached base to lead off the first and the third inning, with Adrian Gonzalez bringing him in to score both times.
That was the extent of the Dodgers offense. The team had only three hits, with none coming past the third inning.
Nineteen Dodger batters were retired in order, capping off an embarrassing sweep courtesy of Atlanta. AJ Ellis’ walk with two outs in the ninth was the lone Dodger baserunner past the third inning.
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
The bullpen, meanwhile, was assigned to convert 12 outs in relief, with a one run lead. There was a feeling of impending doom as each new pitcher was brought in, finding themselves in a worse situation than the last.
J.P. Howell, Ronald Belisario, Paco Rodriguez, Kenley Jansen and Brandon League were all used, in that order.
The wheels started to come off in the eighth as Kenley Jansen gave up a single to Freddie Freeman and a walk to Brian McCann. Brandon League came in for Jansen, and let the flood gates open, allowing the game-tying run after just two pitches.
League gave up another four runs, making the score 5-2 and giving Jansen the loss. It was his second of the series.
The Dodgers send aces Clayton Kershaw and Zach Greinke to the mound for the next two games. If they both deliver strong, seven or eight inning starts it could give the bullpen some much needed rest.
The Dodger’s trip out to Milwaukee was delayed several hours due to rain. The 1:35pm EST start time was pushed back over an hour and a half, and another rain delay in the sixth lasted half an hour.
The team will arrive in Milwaukee late on Sunday and start a three game series with the Brewers on Monday. The Brewers currently sit in last place of the NL Central with the same 17-25 record as the Dodgers.
