In a stunning defeat, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced their largest loss in Dodger Stadium history, falling to the Houston Astros with a lopsided score of 18-1 in the first game of a highly anticipated three-game series. The Astros showcased their power at the plate, hitting a season-high five home runs, while also inflicting a historic 10-run inning on the Dodgers – a first since 1999.
The game got off to a rough start for Dodgers pitcher Ben Casparius, who allowed a homer to Isaac Paredes on the first pitch. It continued to spiral downward from there, with Jose Altuve leading the charge for the Astros. Altuve went 3-for-3 with two home runs, a double, two walks, and a staggering five RBIs. The fact that he had never previously hit a home run at Dodger Stadium made this performance even more remarkable.
The game’s sixth inning was particularly brutal for the Dodgers, as they witnessed 10 runs scored by the Astros, which is the most runs allowed by the Dodgers in a single inning in over two decades. This performance was reminiscent of Fernando Tatis’s remarkable game in 1999 when he hit two grand slams in one inning. In a nod to the past, Dodgers broadcaster Orel Hershiser drew parallels to the Astros’ controversial history during the 2017 World Series.
Reliever Noah Davis bore the brunt of the Astros’ onslaught, contributing to an ERA now sitting at a staggering 19.50 after allowing 10 earned runs over just 1 1/3 innings of work.
Despite the on-field struggles, the Dodgers can still find optimism. Their only run came from All-Star catcher Will Smith, who hit a solo homer. Additionally, the team is looking to bounce back; their upcoming game features Shohei Ohtani on the mound against Framber Valdez, promising an exciting matchup for fans. Furthermore, Christian Walker of the Astros tied the record for the longest streak of home runs at a specific ballpark against a team, bringing another layer of intrigue to the series.
While the loss was unfortunate for the Dodgers, the return of Ohtani could spark a revival for the team, giving fans hope for a strong comeback in the series.