Dodgers Fall Into 3-0 Hole After Game 3 Loss

Brewers answer immediately in Game 3

Will Smith gave Los Angeles hope in the sixth inning on Wednesday. His two run double off Abner Uribe put the Dodgers ahead 2-1 and fired up the home crowd.

The lead disappeared minutes later. Andrew Vaughn led off the seventh inning with a walk against Blake Snell. Jake Bauers then worked an 11 pitch at bat before hitting a two run home run. Garrett Mitchell followed with another home run on the very next at bat.

Snell had retired 14 straight batters before that walk. He had not allowed a home run in 10 starts this season, but the Brewers hit three against him. It was only the second time in Snell's career that he surrendered two home runs to left handed hitters in one game. Milwaukee closed out a 6-2 win to take a 3-0 lead in the series.

Dodgers bats remain silent

Los Angeles continues to search for offense. The Dodgers put the leadoff runner on base in three of five innings against starter Robert Gasser, but they failed to score each time. Before the hit from Smith, Los Angeles was batting .139 with men on base during this series.

Dave Roberts altered the lineup by moving Shohei Ohtani down to sixth, his lowest spot in six years. Kyle Tucker moved into the cleanup spot. Los Angeles still managed only five hits on the night. The Dodgers have a .451 OPS in the series, while Milwaukee holds an .831 OPS.

For the fourth straight time, the Dodgers took a lead only to watch the Brewers score in the next half inning. Infielder Miguel Rojas pointed out that Milwaukee executes when it matters most. "To be able to win championships, you've got to win moments," Rojas said. "We haven't been able to do that in this series, and they've been delivering on the moments."

Chasing rare postseason history

The Dodgers want to become the first National League team to win three straight championships. To do that, they must pull off a comeback that only one team in baseball history has achieved. Teams facing a 3-0 deficit in a best of seven series have lost 41 of 42 times.

The only team to recover was the 2004 Boston Red Sox. Roberts played on that squad and stole the base that ignited the rally. Roberts noted after the game that his current team put together 10 different four game winning streaks during the regular season. They need another one now.

What it means for the next game

Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB, Fri, 16 Oct): Los Angeles Dodgers win 54%, Milwaukee Brewers win 46%; projected score Los Angeles Dodgers 4, Milwaukee Brewers 4. Our safest pick: Brewers +3.5.

Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB, Sat, 17 Oct): Los Angeles Dodgers win 49%, Milwaukee Brewers win 51%; projected score Los Angeles Dodgers 4, Milwaukee Brewers 4. Our safest pick: Brewers +2.5.