Roberts blames offense after Brewers defeat widens NL gap
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team’s offensive struggles were a key factor in a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on August 17, widening the gap in the National League race. Los Angeles had been mired in a slump, dropping seven straight games after a walk-off home run by rookie Ryan Waldschmidt gave the Arizona Diamondbacks a 4-3 win on August 7. Closer Edwin Díaz, who had returned from injury, faltered in several outings, surrendering a lead in the ninth inning against Milwaukee on August 13 and posting an 11.
57 ERA in his first six starts, prompting Roberts to consider reshuffling the bullpen. The Dodgers’ pitching staff fell to the bottom of advanced metrics and the offense’s production sharply declined, contributing to an eight-in-nine losing stretch.