Tigers claw back to beat the Dodgers 4-1 dodging a three-game sweep

Los Angeles Dodgers #70 Bobby Miller (RHP) had seven strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.

 LOS ANGELES, CA – Coming off the heels of a dramatic comeback walk-off win the night before, the Los Angeles Dodgers (93-58) came up short loss 4-1 to the Detroit Tigers (71-81) in the finale of a three-game homestand at Dodger Stadium.

Bobby Miller (10-4) had a quality outing for the Dodgers, striking out seven while giving up three hits in six innings. Unfortunately, two of those hits led to scores, which was the difference in the game.

"A pitcher's not going to have his best stuff every time out," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "The change-up was in and out, the curveball and slider in and out, the fastball was good. For him to go six innings, give up two runs, give us a chance to win. That's all we could ask right there."

The Tigers avoided the sweep thanks to Reese Olson (5-7), who also pitched six innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out five for the Tigers.

Detroit got on the board in the second inning with a Kerry Carpenter double deep into center field. He advanced to third after Andy Ibanez grounded out. Tyler Nevin hit a single to left field that scored Carpenter, giving Detroit a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third inning, Miller was rattled after giving up a base hit and a walk before drilling Zach McKinstry, which led to a heated shouting match between the two former minor league teammates.

With the bases loaded, the Tigers leading home run hitter Spencer Torkelson hit a gap shot to deep center field, nearly clearing the bases. James Outman channeled his inner Superman flying through the air vertically to make a diving catch, providing some much-needed run prevention.

Carson Kelly scored on that sacrifice fly, giving Detroit an early 2-0 lead. Miller would settle down and regain his composure after getting the next two batters out to end the inning.

"That was a heck of a play right there and allowed us to minimize the damage," said Roberts. "You've got to get a good jump on the ball. You got to have a perfect line to the baseball and finish the play like that. He's done that time and time for us."

Los Angeles Dodgers #13 Max Muncy (3B) solo home run over the right-center-field wall. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.

Both pitchers locked in after that, with neither conceding a run the next three innings. After taking no-hitters into each of his previous two games, the rookie Olson took a one-hitter into the sixth of tonight's matchup before giving up a solo blast to Max Muncy, cutting the lead in half, 2-1. The home run was Muncy's 36th on the season, tying his career high.

In the seventh inning, Ryan Brasier took the mound for the Dodgers, replacing Miller. An errant throw by Muncy allowed Parker Meadows to make it safely to first base on the error. Two pitches later, Kelly made them pay by driving in Meadows, giving Detroit a 3-1 lead.

The next inning brought another pitching change for the Dodgers, with Evan Phillips next on the mound. After getting the first two batters out, he gave up a double to Carpenter and then a single to Ibanez, who stretched it all the way to third base due to an error by Jason Heyward. It scored Carpenter, giving Detroit a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the eighth inning.

After walking Barnes, Mookie Betts hit a double that woke the crowd up. With two runners in scoring position, chants of "Freddie, Freddie" echoed through Dodger Stadium as Freddie Freeman stepped into the batter's box as the potential tying run at the plate. With 42,635 on their feet, the MVP candidate scored Barnes while grounding out.

With Betts on third, Muncy stepped to the plate, fresh off hitting a homer his previous at bat. Unfortunately for the Dodger faithful, it wasn't meant to be, with Muncy grounding out to end the inning as the Dodgers lost 4-2.

It was the fifth win in the last seven games for the Tigers, with Olson picking up his third win in his last four games.

Next up for the Dodgers is a rivalry matchup against the San Francisco Giants (76-76) Thursday evening at Dodger Stadium.