Dodgers Blow 4-Run Lead to Drop World Series Game 4

After their Game 3 walkoff win in an 18-inning marathon, the Los Angeles Dodgers came into Game 4 of the World Series looking to tie with the Boston Red Sox. They jumped out to an early lead behind a quality start by veteran SP Rich Hill, but the bullpen failed to hold the lead, allowing a nine-run late game outburst by the visiting Red Sox.

Red Sox 9, Dodgers 6

W: Kelly; L: Floro

Player of the Game: Steve Pearce (2-4, 2 R, 4 RBI)

Boston Leads Series 3-1

The game was scoreless through the first five innings thanks to masterful performances by the starting pitchers, Hill (6.1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 7 SO) and Eduardo Rodríguez (5.2 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 SO). The Dodgers finally grabbed the lead in the bottom of the 6th inning thanks to a Red Sox error. With the bases loaded, OF Cody Bellinger ground into a force play. PR Enrique “Kiké” Hernández was out at home, but INF Justin Turner scored on a throwing error by C Christian Vázquez. OF Yasiel Puig was up next, and he hit a 3-run bomb to score INF Manny Machado and Bellinger, giving the Dodgers a 4-0 lead.

In the top of the 7th, Rich Hill was removed from the game with one out and one runner on following a leadoff walk to INF Xander Bogaerts. Hill’s replacement, Scott Alexander, walked INF Brock Holt, prompting Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to bring in RP Ryan Madson. Madson retired PH Jackie Bradley Jr. but served up a changeup to PH Mitch Moreland, who deposited it over the right field wall to plate Bogaerts and Holt.

Kenley Jansen came in to pitch the top of the 8th. In a repeat of last night’s blown six-out save opportunity with a one-run lead, Jansen gave up a game-tying home run to INF Steve Pearce.

RP Dylan Floro replaced Jansen in the top of the 9th, but he was unable to fool the Boston hitters. Holt doubled and scored on a single by INF Rafael Devers. With 2 outs, Floro intentionally walked INF Mookie Betts and was replaced by RP Alex Wood. Wood gave up a single to OF Andrew Benintendi to load the bases. Roberts then made another call to the pen to bring in RP Kenta Maeda, who had worked into and out of trouble on Friday night. Pearce delivered another major blow with a base-clearing double on a Maeda slider that drove in Devers, Betts and Benintendi. Following an intentional walk of OF J.D. Martinez, Xander Bogaerts singled to bring in Pearce for Boston’s ninth run of the game.

LA scored two in the bottom of the 9th on a home run by Hernández to drive in INF Brian Dozier but were unable to do any further damage.

The Dodgers face elimination in Game 5 tomorrow night, which will begin at 8:15 PM ET. Probable starters: Price (BOS) – 3.58 ERA vs. Kershaw (LAD) – 2.73 ERA. If you have enjoyed these recaps, please consider supporting the site!