Edwin Diaz Meltdown: Dodgers Closer Blows Third Save in Four Chances in 5-4 Loss

Edwin Diaz surrendered two runs in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers, raising his ERA to 11.57 through 14 appearances.

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell 5-4 to the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night after Edwin Diaz surrendered a two-run ninth-inning lead. Entering the final frame with a 4-2 advantage, Diaz allowed back-to-back one-out singles to Joey Ortiz and David Hamilton on fastballs located in the middle of the strike zone. Jackson Chourio and Garrett Mitchell followed with RBI base hits to right field off sliders, erasing the lead and marking Diaz’s third blown save in his last four appearances. A Dodger Stadium crowd of 46,105 booed the 32-year-old reliever as he was replaced by Alex Vesia, who subsequently gave up the go-ahead single to Jake Bauers.

Following this latest Edwin Diaz meltdown, the right-hander’s ERA stands at 11.57 through 14 appearances of a five-year, $69 million contract. Opposing hitters are currently slashing .375/.462/.643 against him. Despite these struggles, manager Dave Roberts confirmed the team will stick with Diaz in the closer role, citing a lack of superior alternatives. The Dodgers bullpen has posted a 4.71 ERA since the start of July, ranking 23rd in Major League Baseball. While Tanner Scott effectively closed games during Diaz's earlier injury absence, the coaching staff prefers utilizing Scott in a versatile high-leverage role rather than a fixed ninth-inning slot.

Struggles Following Elbow Surgery

Diaz’s tenure in Los Angeles began with seven appearances before he underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. The procedure sidelined him for more than three months. Since returning to the active roster, the veteran has struggled with command, particularly with his heater. The current slump began in Phoenix last Friday when Diaz entered a one-run game and gave up a two-run, walk-off home run to Arizona’s Ryan Waldschmidt. The next night, he allowed Corbin Carroll to tie the game with a ninth-inning triple. Although he recorded a perfect inning against the Kansas City Royals on Monday, the Brewers' four-hit ninth-inning rally on Thursday reinforced ongoing concerns.

Roberts Evaluates Bullpen Options

When questioned about removing Diaz from high-pressure situations, Roberts responded rhetorically, asking for another option. The manager noted that potential candidates like Evan Phillips, Edgardo Henriquez, and Vesia have shown inconsistency. Roberts also dismissed the idea of a closer-by-committee approach, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the routine Diaz has established over his seven or eight years in the league. The organization is drawing parallels to Tanner Scott’s performance last year, where he struggled during the first season of a four-year, $72 million deal before regaining his dominant form the following season.

Impact on National League Standings

The loss leaves the Dodgers a half-game behind the Atlanta Braves for the second-best record in the National League and the accompanying first-round postseason bye. Currently, Los Angeles maintains an eight-game lead in the National League West. The team is in the midst of a grueling schedule featuring 13 games in 13 days, a stretch that has heavily taxed a relief corps that utilized five high-leverage arms following starter Roki Sasaki on Thursday. Diaz acknowledged his poor performance, stating that missing in the middle of the plate has led to immediate consequences, and plans to consult with pitching coaches to address his mechanical or command issues.