The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a major blow in their 3-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians as star outfielder Teoscar Hernandez was forced to leave the game after being hit by a pitch. Hernandez, 31, exited with a left foot contusion, adding to the Dodgers’ growing injury concerns.
The game, a pitcher’s duel between Dodgers’ Landon Knack and Guardians’ Matthew Boyd, remained scoreless through the first five innings. However, the injury to Hernandez in the bottom of the first overshadowed much of the night. Boyd’s pitch hit Hernandez on his left ankle, and despite trying to tough it out, he was unable to continue. His limping departure symbolized the Dodgers’ injury woes this season, as they had just placed Gavin Stone on the injured list earlier that day.
Landon Knack, despite the setback, delivered a strong performance, striking out eight batters through five innings. However, the Cleveland lineup finally broke through in the sixth inning when Andrés Giménez launched a two-run homer off Knack, putting the Guardians ahead 2-0.
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Shohei Ohtani, continuing his remarkable season, responded for the Dodgers with his 45th home run, cutting the lead to 2-1. The blast marked his 100th RBI of the year, a further highlight in his unprecedented 45/45 season, achieved with 21 games left in the regular season.
Relief pitcher Daniel Hudson took over for Knack in the seventh but quickly found himself in trouble, allowing a leadoff double to Lane Thomas. However, Will Smith, who leads the league in caught stealings, gunned down Thomas on a steal attempt, temporarily halting the Guardians’ momentum.
The Guardians added an insurance run in the eighth inning when Brayan Rocchio homered off Anthony Banda, extending the lead to 3-1. The Dodgers had their best chance to rally in the bottom of the eighth, with Ohtani singling and Mookie Betts doubling. Cleveland intentionally walked Freddie Freeman to load the bases for Chris Taylor, who replaced the injured Hernandez. Unfortunately, Taylor grounded into an inning-ending double play, continuing his struggles at the plate, as he now bats just .173 this season.
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In the ninth, Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase made quick work of the Dodgers, needing just three pitches to retire Smith, followed by groundouts from Tommy Edman and Miguel Rojas, sealing the 3-1 win for Cleveland.
The loss of Hernandez was a significant setback for the Dodgers, and the inability to capitalize offensively in key moments compounded their frustrations. Manager Dave Roberts will have to navigate these challenges as the team looks to bounce back from a disappointing night.
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