Friday, August 14, 2026

Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2026

Well, Edwin Díaz made it interesting, but he earned the save.

On a picturesque Friday night at Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 3–1.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched like an ace. He struggled against a patient team, but he managed to pitch six innings and allow one run. He didn’t rely on his famous splitter because the Brewers wouldn’t chase it. He relied on his four-seam fastball and cutter. He had nine strikeouts and two walks.

Yamamoto threw a lot in the first inning but got quicker outs. After the game, he said that he was too fine in the first inning and made a mental adjustment.

Before the game, the media asked Dave Roberts who could close instead of Díaz. Roberts responded that he doesn’t have any other closer because the bullpen is tired. Soon, Blake Treinen and Brock Stewart will go out on a rehabilitation assignment. When Treinen and Stewart return, the Dodgers will have more options than they do now.

Evan Phillips was sharp in the seventh inning, giving the Dodgers flashbacks to 2022 when he was the Dodgers’ closer. Since returning from Tommy John surgery, he has struggled with his command. At times, his slider has had a bite, and at other times, it is flat and hittable.

Tanner Scott was sharp in the eighth inning.

Díaz made everyone reach for their Rolaids™ in the ninth when he hit a batter and issued two walks, but he got the save.

Offensively, the Dodgers did just enough to win. Andy Pages led the attack with three hits, including a solo home run. Mookie Betts’ first-inning single brought home Pages. In the sixth inning, the slumping Tommy Edman hit a solo home run.

On Saturday, Justin Wrobleski will try to bounce back from several poor outings after his superb game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Dodgers will try to figure out how to hit against right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, the leading National League Cy Young Award candidate. Both teams will have to deal with shadows, making it difficult to generate offense.