Dodgers' bats goes silent against Brewers in Wrobleski's debut

LOS ANGELES — Justin Wrobleski made two critical errors in his first major league start, leading to the Dodgers' 9-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.

Christian Yelich, a local product from Thousand Oaks, drove in three runs and hit a two-run home run (418ft) to center field, scoring the first two runs of the nine total runs scored by the Brewers.

Brewers left-hander Dallas Keuchel didn't allow a run in his 4 1/3 innings, giving up three hits and five walks, throwing 52 balls out of a total of 94 pitches.

While the Dodgers' offense struggled, they left seven runners on base between the third and fifth innings.

Chris Taylor emerged from his season-long slump, hitting a home run off Jakob Junis to center field (403 feet) for Los Angeles' only runs.

Eric Haase hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning off Wrobleski, extending their lead to 4-0. Blake Perkins added a solo home run, his sixth of the season.

Despite Wrobleski's first major league start, he said he felt belonged in the big leagues.

"It was a lot of fun for me, and obviously, it's something I've dreamed about for a long time." Wrobleski said.

Wrobleski received a heads-up earlier this week that he might be coming to Los Angeles. On Saturday night, while he was having dinner with his family when he received the call to the majors. His parents were there at Dodger Stadium to witness his debut, traveling from Atlanta.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Wrobleski won't pitch during the upcoming road trip but we would see more of him soon.

Pitchers on mend

Another pitcher we will be seeing soon is the future hall of famer Clayton Kershaw, who pitched two innings in a simulated game Sunday at Dodger Stadium. He faced multiple batters including James Outman, Gavin Lux and Miguel Vargas.

"I thought Clayton was good. It was good to see him throw two innings," Roberts said. "We accomplished what we wanted to."

The next step in Kershaw's rehabilitation from elbow surgery is to assess how his arm feels in the upcoming days. If things go well, Kershaw will undergo at least two more rehab starts.

Joe Kelly, who has been out for almost two months with to a right shoulder strain, is close to returning. However, Roberts was unimpressed with his performance this morning as he faced live hitters alongside Kershaw.

"Joe wasn't sharp today." Roberts said.

He expects Kelly to continue improving his arm strength and control behind his pitches and possibly make one rehab start in the upcoming week.

The Dodgers also made a trade Sunday, sending left-hander Matt Gage to the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations.

All-star additions

MLB announced the National League reserves for next week's All-Star Game and among the additions were Teoscar Hernandez, Will Smith, Freddie Freeman and Tyler Glasnow. 

Ohtani will be the starting DH, and Mookie Betts was selected as the starting shortstop but will be unable to play because of his fractured hand.

The Dodgers played their final home game before the all-star break. They open a six-game road trip at 4:10 p.m. Tuesday at Philadelphia. Los Angeles right-hander Bobby Miller (1-1, 6-12 ERA) will face Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (9-4, 3.39).