Dodgers follow different blueprint for 'pen game in G2 loss

LOS ANGELES -- With the inconsistencies and injuries in the starting rotation, the Dodgers came into the postseason knowing they were going to have to deploy a couple of bullpen games in order to be successful.

In Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Padres, the Dodgers ran a ’pen game to perfection, using eight pitchers to complete the shutout and keep their season alive in an elimination scenario.

Their second attempt at a bullpen game, however, didn’t go nearly as smoothly.

The Dodgers were never able to recover after falling into a quick six-run hole and dropped Game 2 of the NL Championship Series against the Mets, 7-3, on Monday at Dodger Stadium. The best-of-seven series is now tied at one game apiece as it shifts to Citi Field.

In best-of-seven postseason series under the current 2-3-2 format, teams splitting the first two games at home -- before going on the road for Games 3-5 -- have still won the series 49 of 88 times (56%). But a lot comes down to Game 3. In all best-of-seven series tied after two games, the team taking a 2-1 lead has won the series 69 of 100 times (69%).

“It’s all great when it works well and guys are throwing up zeroes, but you’re still facing really good ballclubs,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “And there is a margin that you have to guard against and kind of really appreciate the cost of the next games, and not forgetting that this isn’t a winner-take-all game. It’s not a three-game series. Those are things I have to be mindful of.”

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Just about the only thing that was exactly as the last bullpen game was that the Dodgers decided to open with right-hander Ryan Brasier. Against the Padres, Brasier was brilliant, retiring all four batters he faced. On Monday, Brasier was greeted with a leadoff homer by Francisco Lindor, snapping the Dodgers’ streak of 33 consecutive scoreless innings, which matched a Major League postseason record.

"I threw some good pitches and he fouled them off, and then I threw a bad one and he did what you're supposed to do with it,” Brasier said. “He barely fouled off a couple of them and then I left a pitch right over the middle of the plate. That's what happens sometimes when you get a good hitter like that."

After Brasier, the plan was always to go with rookie right-hander Landon Knack, Roberts confirmed. But from the first pitch of the second inning, it was clear Knack didn’t have his best stuff. After giving up a run on a Tyrone Taylor double, Knack was hoping to limit the damage. Instead, after an intentional walk to Lindor, Knack gave up a full-count grand slam to Mark Vientos, sending Dodger Stadium into complete silence.

“Obviously, that whole second inning, the way it all went down,” Knack said. “I didn’t set the tone very well for everyone else.”

In the first bullpen game the Dodgers ran this postseason, they didn’t lean on Knack until the ninth inning. Though he was available to deliver bulk innings, the Dodgers instead decided to trot out high-leverage arm after high-leverage arm, giving their high-powered offense plenty of time to pounce.

This time, Roberts said running that back wasn’t an option. With Alex Vesia injured for the series and Daniel Hudson unavailable after having some discomfort following Sunday’s appearance, the Dodgers needed some length out of Knack. Unfortunately for L.A., he only gave them two ineffective innings.

“Knack was going to have to pitch at some point in time,” Roberts said. “So whether you get through, you have four high-leverage guys available, right? You have to be able to still finish four innings of a game or three innings of a game. So you’ve got to be able to get into the game at some point, too.”

Once Knack’s performance put the Dodgers in a big hole, the club turned its attention to the rest of the series. Instead of going to their best relievers -- notably Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech and Blake Treinen -- the Dodgers are now banking on them to be fully fresh for the three games at Citi Field.

Instead, L.A. went to Brent Honeywell for three big innings and rookie Edgardo Henriquez for two. The two pitchers combined to allow just one run. In Honeywell’s case, he might have earned an opportunity to pitch the bulk innings if the Dodgers go with a bullpen game for a potential Game 6.

“I knew what my job was there, to keep us in the game,” Honeywell said. “I know for a fact that we can swing our way back into any game, no matter who’s on the hill. [Mets starter Sean] Manaea threw the ball well against us, and I thought once we got him out, we could rally a little bit. I just wanted to keep the dogs at bay and give us a chance to win the game.”

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The Dodgers’ offense had plenty of opportunities to get back in the game, but they weren’t able to outhit their pitching performance this time around. Kiké Hernández came up in two big situations, but grounded into an inning-ending double play in the sixth and flied out with two on in the ninth.

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But for the Dodgers, their offense will always keep them within striking distance. That won’t be a concern for the rest of the series. Whether or not the Dodgers can pitch Knack or run another bullpen game later in the series, however, is the bigger question.

“It’s worked for us [before],” said Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández. “Today just wasn’t a good day.”