In a dramatic turn of events, the Los Angeles Dodgers found themselves on the losing end of a 9-4 contest against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night. The game spiraled out of control for the Dodgers during a crucial sixth inning that saw the Phillies launch a five-run assault, flipping a 4-3 Dodgers lead into an 8-4 deficit.
Heading into the sixth inning, the Dodgers were clinging to a narrow one-run lead. However, the situation quickly deteriorated when Brandon Marsh laid down what appeared to be a strategic bunt aimed at advancing Alec Bohm, who was poised at second base as the tying run. The play unfolded with Dodgers third baseman Enrique Hernandez fielding the ball cleanly and making a throw to third, where Miguel Rojas applied what seemed to be a decisive tag.
Controversial Call
The drama intensified when third-base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ruled Alec Bohm safe due to obstruction. This call pivoted the momentum fully in favor of the Phillies. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was visibly frustrated and subsequently ejected from the game after disputing the call. Addressing the media afterward, Roberts didn’t mince words, stating, "He got it wrong. That's just a fact. Umpiring is hard. They do a great job. Tonight, that play affected the game."
The contentious call stemmed from a recent rule change that stipulates fielders must have possession of the ball before positioning themselves in front of the base. Compounding the Dodgers' frustration was the rule’s specific provision that it cannot be challenged or reviewed via video replay. Reflecting on the play, Marvin Hudson remarked, "He's got to have the ball before he can get in front of the bag. That's the new rule this year."
Bullpen Struggles
The on-field drama didn’t end there. Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly struggled with his control, walking two batters before throwing a wild pitch. The coup de grâce came when Kelly served up a three-run homer to Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, capping off a disastrous sixth inning that saw the Dodgers go from being narrowly ahead to chasing an insurmountable lead.
Phillies' spurt continued to pile on the agony for the Dodgers through subsequent innings, eventually sealing a commanding 9-4 victory. For the Dodgers, this game was a harsh lesson in how quickly a lead can evaporate, particularly when bullpen woes and controversial calls collide at critical junctures.
Moving Forward
The Phillies will look to carry this tidal wave of momentum into their upcoming series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which starts on Thursday. In a stark contrast, the Dodgers will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates beginning Friday. The immediate task for the Dodgers will be to iron out the defensive lapses and bullpen inconsistencies that proved costly in this outing.
As emotions simmered down after the game, Miguel Rojas also weighed in on the controversial play, suggesting the umpire sought a moment of influence. "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," said Rojas.
With the intensity of this matchup behind them and valuable lessons learned, both teams will be keen to make quick adjustments as they face their next opponents. For the Dodgers, the reflection and adjustments in response to Wednesday's roller-coaster of a game could prove pivotal as the season progresses.