CINCINNATI —
The Dodgers’ injury-ravaged bullpen had been lurking like a land mine in recent weeks.
On Friday, the shorthanded group finally imploded.
In the kind of meltdown the team has dreaded of late — with key relievers Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, Ryan Brasier and Joe Kelly all on the injured list — the Dodgers’ relief corps came unglued in the fifth inning Friday night, giving up four runs (plus an inherited runner) in the decisive sequence of a 9-6 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
Entering Friday’s fateful frame, the Dodgers appeared to be rolling toward a win in the opener of a six-game road trip.