LOS ANGELES — It seemed like the right spot for the Dodgers to continue building the momentum they rediscovered at the end of a six-game road trip.
Put Walker Buehler on the mound against the Colorado Rockies, an opponent they have owned at home in recent years, and start off the brief three-game homestand on the right foot before heading back out on the road.
So much for that.
Buehler gave up three earned runs, the Dodgers’ bats struggled for most of the night, and they limped to a 4-1 loss on Friday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wanted better command from Buehler in his fifth start since undergoing a second Tommy John surgery in August 2022, but it was apparent early that might be an issue again. Buehler gave up singles to the first two batters he faced before issuing a one-out walk to load the bases. But Buehler responded by striking out Kris Bryant and Brendan Rodgers to get away unscathed.
Buehler didn’t fare nearly as well when he saw Bryant and Rodgers with runners in scoring position again in the third. Bryant singled to left to open the scoring, and Rodgers had a two-run single to make it 3-0 after Andy Pages misjudged the bouncing ball in the outfield.
Things got worse in the fourth when Ezequiel Tovar tagged Buehler for a solo homer 410 feet into center field for a 4-0 lead.
Buehler (1-3) went six innings, giving up six hits and four walks while striking out seven. He has given up three earned runs in four of his five outings this season.
It didn’t help matters that the Dodgers couldn’t generate much against Dakota Hudson, who came in with a 1-7 record but allowed one run and four hits in seven-plus innings.
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The offense failed to get a runner past first base through seven innings.
The eighth was a different story, starting with Gavin Lux’s double. The Dodgers loaded the bases with no outs for the top of their order, pushing their only run across when Mookie Betts hit into a double play. Freddie Freeman struck out swinging to end the threat. That was apparently enough for one night for many fans, who headed to the exits after seeing Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freeman go a combined 0 for 11 with one walk.
The ninth saw the Dodgers go out meekly with Will Smith grounding out, Teoscar Hernández striking out looking and Kiké Hernández lining out.
More to come on this story.