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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out with the bases loaded in the ninth inning of a 5-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. (Kevork Djansezian \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n
The Toronto Blue Jays did everything possible to hand the Dodgers a victory Sunday.<\/p>\n
Their pitchers gave up 10 hits, including two home runs. They walked 13, a season-high for the Dodgers<\/a>, twice loading the bases on free passes in the final two innings. At the plate, Toronto struck out 14 times.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Dodgers, however, refused to accept the gift, giving up an eighth-inning lead in a 5-4 loss<\/a> that dropped their lead over the San Diego Padres in the National League West<\/a> to two games. The Padres trailed by six games less than three weeks ago.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is frustrating because I just felt there’s no way we should lose this game today,\u201d Dodgers manager Dave Roberts<\/a> said. \u201cWe had them on the ropes numerous times. And for us not to win is so frustrating.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more:<\/b> Blake Snell turns in a performance befitting his ‘Snellzilla’ nickname in Dodgers’ blowout win<\/a><\/p>\n How frustrating? The Dodgers were one for 10 with runners in scoring position. They left a season-high 16 men on base \u2014 six in the last two innings.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Every Dodgers starter reached base at least once. Yet they still lost.<\/p>\n Afterward, third baseman Max Muncy insisted the black cloud had a silver lining, even if no one else could see it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were creating opportunities. So, you know, we were doing the first part of it,\u201d he said. \u201cWe just weren’t cashing in today. The positive you take out of it is we found a way to create a lot of opportunities.<\/p>\n \u201cYou just have to finish the job.\u201d<\/p>\n That goes double for the Dodger relievers. Starter Tyler Glasnow<\/a> was brilliant, striking out eight and allowing just two runs over 5\u2154 innings, turning a 3-2 lead over to a bullpen that had to get 10 outs. Once again they couldn\u2019t do it, with Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia giving up three solo home runs in the span of six batters.<\/p>\n Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow delivers against the Blue Jays in the first inning Sunday. (Wally Skalij \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n \u201cYou give good hitters pitches right down the middle, they\u2019re going to do damage,\u201d said Treinen, who came on in the eighth with a one-run lead and left five batters later trailing after back-to-back home runs by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Addison Barger.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes we get away with making bad locations turn into outs. They made me pay for it and it cost us a game.\u201d<\/p>\n He\u2019s not the only one who had to pay. Because after Freddie Freeman walked with the bases loaded for the second time to tie the game in the eighth, Vesia came on to start the ninth with the score even again. Ernie Clement unevened it on Vesia\u2019s first pitch, driving an 85-mph slider over the wall in left field to put Toronto ahead. It was the 65th homer Dodgers relievers have allowed this season; only two bullpens in the majors have given up more.<\/p>\n But the Blue Jays\u2019 generosity knew no end, so Toronto tried to give the win back when reliever Jeff Hoffman loaded the bases with one out for Shohei Ohtani<\/a>.<\/p>\n But after fouling off two tough full-count pitches from Mason Fluharty, a left-hander with a 5.15 earned-run average and Toronto\u2019s eighth pitcher of the day, Ohtani waved at a sweeper outside the zone to strike out.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cThe last thing I was thinking was he was going to strike out. … We\u2019ve got to come up with one right there,” Roberts said. “Chasing the ball down below is something we can’t have happen.”<\/p>\n Mookie Betts followed by grounding into a force out to end the game.<\/p>\n Three innings earlier Ohtani, who had two hits, including his 41st\u00a0homer of the season to run his hitting streak to a season-best nine games, was thrown out trying to steal third with two outs and Freeman at the plate, ending another Dodger threat.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was his decision,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cNot a good baseball play.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more:<\/b> In a battle of 3,000K stars, Clayton Kershaw outduels Max Scherzer in Dodgers’ win<\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Now the Dodgers head to Anaheim for a three-game series with the Angels before returning home to face the Padres, likely with the division lead at stake.<\/p>\n The Dodgers have been faltering since July 1, going 15-18. San Diego has been on fire, going 21-13 over the same span. Among NL teams, only the Milwaukee Brewers have been better.<\/p>\n While San Diego has the most saves (39) and the best bullpen ERA in baseball (3.04), Dodgers relievers rank 21st (4.24).<\/p>\n And while the Padres got better at last month\u2019s trade deadline, making five trades that netted them reliever Mason Miller and left-hander JP Sears from Oakland, first baseman\/outfielder Ryan O\u2019Hearn and left fielder\u00a0Ram\u00f3n Laureano<\/a>\u00a0from the Orioles and catcher Freddy Fermin\u00a0from\u00a0the Royals,\u00a0the Dodgers\u00a0barely tinkered around the edges.\u00a0Their major acquisition, reliever Brock Stewart, has\u00a0given up six hits and two runs in 3\u2154 innings.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Padres went all in.\u00a0The\u00a0Dodgers\u00a0did not.<\/p>\n Talk about frustrating.<\/p>\n![\"Dodgers](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/f8d3d8dd78d2ab37d220d89a456a7cfc.jpeg\"\/)
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