Walk-Off Loss to Angels Puts Dodgers in NL West Tie

The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered another brutal loss on Tuesday night, dropping a 7-6 heartbreaker to the Los Angeles Angels in 10 innings. Shohei Ohtani’s ninth-inning blast looked like the game-winner for a moment, but it wasn’t enough.

The extra-inning defeat completed a season sweep by their crosstown rivals. The Dodgers’ NL West lead is gone, and the pressure’s mounting with every game.

They’re at a crossroads now, and honestly, the mood’s tense around the clubhouse.

Ohtani’s Heroics Fade Amid Late-Inning Collapse

Shohei Ohtani stepped up against former Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen and smashed a towering homer to right. The stadium erupted—fans and Ohtani both thought the losing streak might finally end.

Vesia’s Struggles Undo the Magic

That joy didn’t last long. Alex Vesia took the mound in the bottom of the ninth and immediately gave up a leadoff single, then issued a walk.

Nolan Schanuel’s sacrifice fly tied the game before the Dodgers could shut the door. It felt like déjà vu for a team that just can’t seem to close out tight games lately.

Extra-Inning Heartbreak

The tension carried straight into the 10th. The Dodgers pulled their infield in, trying to keep the automatic runner from scoring.

Jo Adell broke their hearts with a high-bouncing RBI single over Max Muncy’s glove. That was it—the Dodgers finished winless in five games against the Angels this year.

Slumping Since July 4

This loss just piled onto a worrying slide. Since July 4, the Dodgers have stumbled to a 12-20 record, erasing what had been a nine-game division lead.

Now they’re tied with the Padres at 68-52 in the NL West. What once looked like a sure thing has turned into a fight for the top.

Missed Opportunities at the Plate

Ohtani’s ninth-inning homer was the highlight, but the Dodgers’ offense sputtered again. Rookie Dalton Rushing chipped in with a two-run shot early, but the team kept squandering chances.

Michael Conforto’s strikeout with the bases loaded in the fifth stands out. That was a golden opportunity for insurance runs, and it slipped away.

The Triple Play That Changed Everything

The sixth inning felt like a turning point. Ohtani, always in the thick of it, lined into a stunning triple play started by Zach Neto.

With two on and nobody out, the rally died instantly. The Angels stayed right in it.

Bullpen Reliability Tested

Before Vesia’s stumble, the Dodgers’ bullpen looked solid. Jack Dreyer, Edgardo Henriquez, and Blake Treinen each threw a scoreless frame, keeping the Dodgers ahead.

But closing out these nail-biters? That’s been a nagging issue all year, and it showed up again.

Accountability from the Dugout

Manager Dave Roberts didn’t dodge questions after another tough loss. He admitted the team just isn’t playing “clean, consistent games” and said they’ve got to fix the mistakes that have haunted them for weeks.

What’s Next for the Dodgers

The schedule’s not doing them any favors. Two big series against the Padres are up next, and they’ll have to dig deep if they want to reclaim the NL West lead instead of scrambling for a Wild Card.

Key Factors to Watch

If the Dodgers want to turn their season around, a few key things have to go right.

• Clutch Hitting: They need to capitalize when runners are in scoring position. That’s especially true against teams that are playoff-bound.
• Solid Bullpen Execution: The late-inning crew really has to find some consistency. Tight games are won or lost here.
• Maintaining Health: With all that star power, staying healthy is just huge. Injuries could derail any postseason push in a hurry.

This year’s been a wild ride—lots of ups and downs. Tuesday night’s loss might end up being a real turning point, for better or worse.

The Dodgers have the talent. But honestly, time’s running out to show they have the grit to back it up.

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Here is the source article for this story: Walk-off loss to Angels puts Dodgers in first-place tie in NL West