The Dodgers lost 6-4 to the Astros on July 6, 2025, completing a sweep. Despite homers from Betts & Rojas, Josh Hader's 25th save sealed LA's fate.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a weekend the Dodgers and their fans would rather forget. Capping a brutal series against the Houston Astros, Los Angeles fell 6-4 in a game that stretched into the early hours of Sunday morning, marking their third consecutive loss and deepening concerns as they stumble against a key rival.
Following Friday's historic 18-1 drubbing, the Dodgers have now been outscored 24-5 over their last two games at Dodger Stadium.
The game started with a glimmer of hope as Shohei Ohtani delivered two masterful, scoreless innings in his fourth start of the season, even striking out the side in the second. But the wheels came off after his planned exit. The Astros exploded for four runs in the third inning against reliever Justin Wrobleski, with Zack Short's two-run double doing the most damage. Houston added another run on a Yainer Diaz homer in the fourth. While the Dodgers' bats showed some life with home runs from Mookie Betts and Miguel Rojas, the rally fell short. Houston's closer, Josh Hader, slammed the door, striking out Esteury Ruiz with two runners on in the eighth before retiring the heart of the order in the ninth to lock down his MLB-leading 25th save.
The pitching staff's struggles have not gone unnoticed by the front office. In a move announced before the game, the Dodgers recalled right-hander Jack Little from Triple-A Oklahoma City, hoping a fresh arm can provide some stability. To make room, fellow righty Noah Davis was optioned back to OKC. This follows the recent release of veteran reliever Luis García, signaling that the team is actively searching for answers to shore up a pitching staff that has been a major factor in this losing skid.
While the homers from Betts and Rojas were welcome sights, the offense couldn't string together enough hits to overcome the early deficit. The absence of Max Muncy, who was recently placed on the 10-day injured list, is being felt in the lineup's depth. Esteury Ruiz, recalled just days ago, had a chance to be a hero in the eighth but was struck out by Hader in a high-leverage situation. For a team known for its offensive firepower, the inability to mount a full comeback against a taxed Astros bullpen is a troubling sign.
All eyes now turn to Sunday's finale. The Dodgers desperately need to salvage a win to stop the bleeding and avoid a sweep at the hands of the Astros. Rookie Emmet Sheehan gets the ball with the weight of a three-game losing streak on his shoulders. It's more than just one game; it's a chance to reset the narrative and prove this rough patch is an anomaly, not the new norm.
