Tanner Scott allows first May runs, Dodgers fall to Phillies

Dodgers’ Streak Snapped: Sasaki Shines, Bullpen Falters in Phillies Thriller

This blog post digs into the tense showdown between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies. The Dodgers started strong, but the game slipped away late.

We’ll look at the players who stood out, the key moments, and how the Dodgers’ winning streak came to a screeching halt. Plus, let’s get into Roki Sasaki’s evolving pitching and the bullpen’s unexpected stumble.

Sasaki’s Continued Ascent: A Glimmer of Dominance

Roki Sasaki stepped up once again, showing off his growing skills and carrying the Dodgers deep into the game. You can really see the results of his hard work—he’s mixing in new pitches and sharpening the old ones.

The Evolution of a Pitcher

Sasaki’s fastball still packs a punch, but his new, sharper split-fingered pitch? That’s a real problem for hitters. Batters struggled to make good contact, swinging and missing more than usual.

He tied his MLB career high with 18 swinging strikes. Over 5 1/3 innings, he struck out seven, racking up crucial outs when it mattered.

Sasaki wrapped up May with a solid 3.18 ERA over five starts. He struck out 28 in 28 1/3 innings—numbers that show he’s moving in the right direction.

When a Dominant Streak Meets a Sudden Collapse

The Dodgers entered the eighth inning up 3-1, looking like they’d cruise to another win. But baseball’s never that simple, is it? The Phillies staged a comeback that left the home crowd stunned.

The Unraveling of a Fortress

The Dodgers’ bullpen had been a wall, giving up just two runs in the last 50 2/3 innings (not counting Miguel Rojas). Tanner Scott, who’d been lights out with a 1.14 ERA and a sharp 2.18 xERA, finally hit a rough patch.

This was his first blown save of 2026. Before this, he’d pitched 23 2/3 innings, struck out a third of his batters, and hadn’t allowed a run in his last thirteen outings. The moment just got away from him.

Key Plays and Turning Points

Baseball swings on just a few big moments, and this game had plenty. Offense, defense, and everything in between—it all added up.

Early Offense and Mid-Game Heroics

The Phillies struck first. Alec Bohm launched a long fastball over the center-field wall, getting the crowd going.

The Dodgers answered back, adding runs and tacking on an insurance run in the seventh. Andy Pages doubled, then Mookie Betts drove him in with a clutch two-out single, making it 3-1.

Before things unraveled, the Dodgers’ bullpen had its moments. Alex Vesia got out of a bases-loaded jam by striking out Sosa and getting Bohm to ground out.

Alex Call chipped in with an RBI single and an extra-base hit, showing why he belongs in the lineup.

The Phillies’ Eighth-Inning Barrage

But the eighth inning changed everything. Scott gave up two quick singles, and then Edmundo Sosa stepped up.

Sosa’s two-run homer flipped the game on its head and re-energized the Phillies’ dugout. That one swing changed the entire vibe in the stadium.

The Final Score and What Lies Ahead

The Phillies pulled off a 4-3 win, snapping the Dodgers’ six-game streak. That one felt close right up to the end.

Orion Kerkering picked up the win. Johan Duran came in and locked down the save.

The homestand wraps up with a matchup that’s honestly pretty intriguing. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound against Phillies rookie Andrew Painter on Sunday.

If you’re following this series, you probably don’t want to miss it. This next game could be another wild one.
 
Here is the source article for this story: Tanner Scott allows first runs of May, Dodgers lose to Phillies