The sequence serves as a snapshot to explain this troubling but still salvageable Dodgers season. In Saturday’s eighth inning, with the Dodgers aiming to expand their lead over San Diego, the lineup stoked the embers of a rally with a pair of singles. The defensive ineptitude of the Padres placed both runners in scoring position with no outs. Few scenarios are more ideal for an offense.
To the plate came catcher Yasmani Grandal. He took a 97-mph fastball down the middle from Wingenter for strike one. He swung over a similarly located fastball for strike two. He flailed at another 97-mph heater, this one tailing up and out of the zone, for strike three.