Dodgers fail to bring their “A” game in 7-1 loss

The Dodgers opted for a bullpen game on Wednesday, and the decision backfired as the A’s took the finale by a final score of 7-1, snapping the Dodgers’ four-game winning streak.

The Dodgers had no problem scoring early against the A’s over the first two games, and it appeared that way again as the Dodgers loaded the bases against J.T. Ginn in the top of the first inning. Tommy Edman, fresh off a four-hit, four RBI game, couldn’t come through as the Dodgers left them loaded.

While Ginn faced six hitters and tossed 29 pitches in the first inning, Jack Dreyer had a much easier time over his lone inning of work, striking out the side in a perfect bottom of the first.

Miguel Rojas tried to kickstart something in the top of the second with a single against Ginn. Chuckie Robinson popped up a bunt attempt for the second out, and Shohei Ohtani grounded out right to Nick Kurtz. The A’s needed one pitch from Charlie Barnes to take the lead, as Jonah Heim clobbered a 444 foot home run to make it a 1-0 lead.

Freddie Freeman ensured that the deficit was short-lived, as he socked a home run to right field to tie the game at 1. The Dodgers would put two more on base in the top of the third, but couldn’t add to the lead, giving the team six runners left on base over the first three innings.

The Athletics quickly rallied against Barnes to begin the bottom of the fourth inning, as Heim worked a leadoff walk before Joshua Kuroda-Grauer’s double put both men in scoring position. A groundout from Lawrence Butler gave the A’s the lead, and Henry Bolte brought the lead to two runs on a single up the middle.

The A’s continued to tee off on Barnes as Shea Langeliers led off the bottom of the fifth inning with his 20th home run of the season, becoming the first American League catcher to reach the 20 home run plateau this season. Nick Kurtz promptly followed with a base hit to right, and Colby Thomas continued his torrid stretch against the Dodgers with an RBI double. Heim tallied his second RBI of the game to give the A’s a three-run inning and a five-run lead.

All the Dodgers could muster against Ginn after the third inning was a walk to Kyle Tucker, giving him three on the game, as the right-hander faced the minimum over his final three innings of work. The Dodgers wouldn’t get another hit until a Max Muncy double against Luis Medina with two outs in the top of the eighth inning. Tucker would add another free pass following the Muncy double, marking the first time he walked four times in a single game.

The A’s tacked on another run against Barnes as Alika Williams drilled a home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to extend the lead to six.

Mookie Betts was a late scratch on Wednesday, and Miguel Rojas was given a second consecutive start. Rojas was the only hitter in the starting lineup with multiple hits.

• Home runs— Jonah Heim (8), Shea Langeliers (20), Alika Williams (2); Freddie Freeman (14)

• WP— J.T. Ginn (7-4): 6 IP, 3 hits, 1 earned run, 5 walks, 4 strikeouts

• LP— Charlie Barnes (0-1): 7 IP, 12 hits, 7 earned runs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts

Home runs— Jonah Heim (8), Shea Langeliers (20), Alika Williams (2); Freddie Freeman (14)

WP— J.T. Ginn (7-4): 6 IP, 3 hits, 1 earned run, 5 walks, 4 strikeouts

LP— Charlie Barnes (0-1): 7 IP, 12 hits, 7 earned runs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts

The Dodgers return back home as they begin a four-game series with the San Diego Padres beginning Thursday (7:10 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA). Roki Sasaki faces Randy Vásquez.