Dodgers swept by Angels, tumble into second place

The Los Angeles Dodgers took a gut punch on Wednesday. They suffered a rare six-game sweep by the Los Angeles Angels—a first since interleague play kicked off in 1997.

What used to be a comfortable division lead? Gone. The Dodgers have slipped out of first place in the NL West.

In a game that kind of summed up their recent struggles, the bullpen faltered, chances slipped away, and the offense just couldn’t get it done. Now, with big games against the San Diego Padres on the horizon, the Dodgers face a crossroads in their 2024 season.

A Historic Low in the Freeway Series

Since interleague play began, the Dodgers had never been swept in a full season series by their crosstown rivals, the Angels. That streak ended in dramatic fashion as the Angels pulled off a six-game sweep, fueled by clutch late-inning hits and sharp defense that held the Dodgers’ offense in check.

How the Collapse Happened

The Dodgers clung to a 5-4 lead in the eighth inning at Angel Stadium. But, true to recent form, the bullpen unraveled.

Manager Dave Roberts left rookie Justin Wrobleski on the mound for a third inning. Two walks put the tying and go-ahead runs aboard, so Roberts called on Edgardo Henriquez, who’d already thrown a lot the night before.

Then came the play that stung. What looked like a double play ball bounced off Henriquez’s glove, and suddenly Logan O’Hoppe was smacking a two-run single. The Angels grabbed a 6-5 lead, and the Dodgers never recovered.

From Division Leaders to Chasing the Padres

Wednesday’s loss nudged Los Angeles one game behind the surging San Diego Padres. It’s the first time they’ve trailed in the division since April 27.

Just a few weeks ago, they had a nine-game cushion. Since July 4, though, the Dodgers have stumbled to a 12-21 record.

• Offensive struggles — too many scoring droughts and missed chances with runners on base.
• Pitching injuries — key starters are hurt, so the bullpen’s been stretched thin.
• Late-game implosions — the bullpen keeps letting leads slip away when it matters most.

Missed Chances at the Plate

The offense showed some spark early. Will Smith hit a two-run homer, and a fourth-inning rally put the Dodgers in front.

But then the bats vanished. The Dodgers didn’t notch a hit in their final 16 at-bats.

Big moments slipped away. Andy Pages lost a two-run homer to a highlight-reel catch by Bryce Teodosio, and Teoscar Hernández struck out with the bases loaded in the fifth.

Ohtani’s Impact and the Angels’ Clutch Execution

On the Angels’ side, Shohei Ohtani pitched into the fifth inning for the first time since his Tommy John surgery. He gave up four runs, but made his mark at the plate too, tripling and scoring in the first to get the Angels going.

The Angels kept coming through in big spots. The Dodgers, meanwhile, just couldn’t seize their moments.

Looking Ahead for Los Angeles

With four straight losses and a critical series against the Padres coming up, the Dodgers are scrambling. Private team meetings are happening as players and coaches try to figure out how to stop the slide.

The next week feels huge. It might decide whether Los Angeles can grab back control of the division, or if this midseason slump will end up defining their 2024 run.

Right now, it’s a story of missed chances and bullpen heartbreak. The team needs answers—fast.

If the Dodgers don’t solve their late-game issues and find their offensive groove again, things could get ugly in a hurry. High expectations can turn into disappointment before you know it.

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Here is the source article for this story: Welcome to second place: Tumbling Dodgers are swept by the Angels