Dave Roberts criticizes Shohei Ohtani after loss to the Blue Jays
Dodgers waste Toronto’s mistakes and see their lead in the West Division narrow
The Los Angeles Dodgers blew an eighth-inning lead and ended up losing 5-4 to the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, a stumble that cut their lead over the San Diego Padres to just two games. Less than three weeks ago, that difference was six.
The bullpen was again the weak point. Blake Treinen allowed consecutive home runs to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Addison Barger in the eighth inning, turning the score around. In the ninth, Alex Vesia gave up a home run to Ernie Clement on his first pitch, the 65th that the Angels' bullpen has allowed this season, the third-worst mark in the majors.
The offense also failed to capitalize. The Dodgers went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left 16 men on base, a year high. Shohei Ohtani had the last opportunity with the bases loaded in the ninth, but struck out with a full count against Mason Fluharty. The last thing I thought was he was going to strike out... we have to produce at that point, lamented manager Dave Roberts.
Ohtani, questioned
Tyler Glasnow opened the game with a solid performance of 5 innings, two runs and eight strikeouts, but errors at key moments took their toll. Ohtani, in addition to failing to close, was thrown out trying to steal third in the sixth inning with two outs and Freddie Freeman at bat.
It was his decision. It was not a good baseball play, criticized Roberts.
Despite the loss, Max Muncy looked for Take a positive note: "We were creating opportunities... The positive side is that we found a way to generate a lot of them. You just have to finish the job."

