Noah Syndergaard struggles early as the Dodgers fall to the Nationals 10-6
Los Angeles Dodgers #43 Noah Syndergaard (RHP) gave up five runs against the Washington Nationals. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Noah Syndergaard continues to struggle and gave up seven hits and five runs in five innings as the Dodgers (34-23) lost to the National 10-6 at Dodgers Stadium
The Dodgers had high hopes that Syndergaard, who signed in the off-season, would give them depth in their bullpen, which has not been the case this season.
"It really sucks," Syndergaard said. "Right now, I just feel like I'm the weakest link on this team. I want to go out there and compete and be successful for the other guys in this clubhouse, but it's just not working out."
The Dodgers could have scored more runs by loading the bases in the bottom of the third with no outs and in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Mookie Betts got the Dodgers going early with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning over center field to take a 1-0 lead. The Dodgers would lead 3-0 after Freddie Freeman got on base, and Will Smith hit a two-run homeroom over the center field.
Washington Nationals #20 Keibert Ruiz (C) hitting a solo home run in the top of the second inning. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
The National trailed 3-2 in the top of the second inning after Syndergaard gave up a solo home run to Keibert Ruiz over center field and with CJ Abrams's solo homerun over right-center-field.
Washington would tie the game 3-3 in the top of the third inning with a base hit by Jeimer Candelario into right field that allowed Joey Meneses to come home to score.
Los Angeles Dodgers #5 Freddie Freeman (1B) stealing second base in the bottom of the third inning. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
Freddie Freeman stole second base in the bottom of the third inning, and Will Smith, with a single, got to second base and advanced him to third base with no outs. Patrick Corbin loaded the bases and walked Max Muncy, and Freeman scored to give the Dodgers a 4-3 lead.
The Nationals took the lead 5-4 in the top of the fifth inning with a two-run home run by Candelario over center field with two outs.
The Dodgers tied the game 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh inning after Rojas hit a single to right field and Chris Taylor scored.
Washington led 8-5 in the top of the eighth inning when Luis Garcia hit a three-run home run over right field. Betts had the Dodgers trailing by two runs, 8-6, in the bottom of the eighth inning with a solo home run in right field.
The Nationals would win the game, 10-8, after a two-run home run by Ruiz in the top of the ninth inning, making their record (34-25), 5th in the NL East.