MILWAUKEE (AP) — Tyler Glasnow returned in fine form to steady the Los Angeles Dodgers’ injury-riddled pitching staff, but the reigning World Series champions’ star-studded lineup suddenly could use a lift as well.
Glasnow came off the injured list Wednesday and allowed just one unearned run over five innings Wednesday while pitching for the Dodgers for the first time since April 27. His return should fortify a pitching staff that still has two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Michael Kopech, Brusdal Graterol and Blake Treinen out due to injuries.
“I’m glad I could go out and feel healthy and feel strong,” said Glasnow, who had been dealing with shoulder inflammation. “I’m just ready to go again after the break.”
But the Dodgers still fell 3-2 to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday as their hitting struggles continued. The Dodgers have dropped six straight games for the first time since April 2019, and they’ve scored a total of 10 runs during that skid.
“Scoring one or two runs is not going to cut it,” said Miguel Rojas, who scored both of the Dodgers’ runs Wednesday. “We have to do better.”
Injuries have played a role in the Dodgers’ recent shortcomings.
Utilityman Kiké Hernández and infielder Max Muncy are on the injured list, while second baseman Tommy Edman and outfielder Teoscar Hernández fouled balls off their feet Saturday. Edman returned to the starting lineup Wednesday after missing three games, while Hernández walked as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning.
But the Dodgers still have MVPs Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman at the top of the lineup. They just haven’t been able to produce any big innings while getting swept by the Houston Astros and Brewers. The Dodgers never had been swept by the Brewers in Milwaukee before this week.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he liked the way his team competed by drawing seven walks Wednesday. But the Dodgers left 11 men on base and went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. They still led 2-1 before the Brewers tied the game in the ninth inning and won it in the 10th.
“It’s one of those things that we’ve got to find a way to weather it,” Roberts said. “You don’t want guys trying to press to just get it all back with one swing. I think the messaging is just go out there and keep taking the at bats we took today.”
The Dodgers can afford this type of slump.
This losing streak followed a 15-3 stretch that game the Dodgers a large cushion in the NL West. They remain five games ahead of the San Francisco Giants, who host the Dodgers in a three-game series starting Friday. The Dodgers will face All-Star right-hander Logan Webb in the opener.
They don’t want to let the Giants creep any closer before the All-Star break.
“We know what we’re looking for,” Rojas said. “We’re looking to win another championship. Playing this kind of baseball is not going to get us there.”
The Dodgers made room for Glasnow on the roster by sending reliever Alexis Díaz back to the minors, one day after calling him up.
In another move Wednesday, the Dodgers sent minor league outfielder Steward Berroa to the Brewers for cash. The Brewers optioned Berroa to Triple-A Nashville and placed him on that team’s injured list with right shoulder bursitis.
The Brewers also designated right-handed pitcher Elvin Rodríguez for assignment.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Steve Megargee, The Associated Press
