In a surprising twist, the Los Angeles Dodgers fell 9-4 to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night, with pivotal moments shifting the game's momentum during a decisive sixth inning.
Pivotal Sixth Inning
Heading into the top of the sixth with a slim 4-3 lead, the Dodgers seemed to have control. However, the Phillies seized the opportunity, exploding for five runs and transforming their deficit into an 8-4 lead. The critical moment unfolded when Brandon Marsh executed a strategic bunt aimed at moving Alec Bohm, who stood as the tying run at second base.
Dodgers third baseman Enrique Hernandez fielded the bunt cleanly and threw to third, where Miguel Rojas awaited. Rojas applied the tag, but third-base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ruled Bohm safe due to obstruction. This controversial call triggered a heated response from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, resulting in his ejection from the game.
Controversial Call and Rule Change
A recent rule change plays a crucial role in this scenario. Fielders must now have possession of the ball before they can position themselves in front of the base. This rule change, intended to improve player safety and game flow, cannot be challenged or reviewed via video replay, adding to the frustration for the Dodgers.
"He got it wrong. That's just a fact. Umpiring is hard. They do a great job. Tonight, that play affected the game," Roberts said post-game, clearly distraught by the umpire’s decision. Miguel Rojas shared a similar sentiment, stating, "I think this guy has seen this play a million times, and he just wanted some part of, I don't know, part of a moment in the game."
Marvin Hudson, another umpire, elaborated on the rule: "He's got to have the ball before he can get in front of the bag. That's the new rule this year."
Joe Kelly’s Struggles
Reliever Joe Kelly's rough outing added to the Dodgers' woes. Before giving up a three-run homer to Kyle Schwarber in the decisive sixth frame, Kelly walked two batters and unleashed a wild pitch. The three-run blast was the exclamation point on the Phillies’ offensive surge, putting the game beyond the Dodgers' reach.
Looking Ahead
With this win, the Phillies gain a morale boost heading into their next series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, starting Thursday. Carrying the momentum from such a significant victory can be a vital factor as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
The Dodgers, on the other hand, must regroup swiftly as they prepare to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates starting Friday. Despite the loss and the controversies that came with it, the Dodgers will look to iron out their strategy and address the critical moments that allowed the game to slip from their grasp.
In baseball, small margins often separate victory from defeat. For the Dodgers, understanding and overcoming those margins will be key as they aim to bounce back from this disappointing loss.