Dodgers swept again by Brewers as Freeman exits with wrist injury

LOS ANGELES – This was not how the script was supposed to unfold, especially not in late July for a team with World Series aspirations and one of the highest payrolls in the league. However, after Sunday’s loss to the Brewers, the Dodgers have been swept again by Milwaukee, bringing their record against the Brewers to 0-6 over the last two weeks. The Brewers now hold the best record in the National League, while the Dodgers fell 6-5 on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.

Shohei Ohtani hit another home run, while the Dodgers suffered yet another loss. This latest setback represents a troubling moment for the team, as they have now lost 10 of their last 12 games, bringing their record to 2-10 during that stretch. Their once-comfortable lead in the National League West has dwindled to just three and a half games.

Ohtani hit a two-run home run to the opposite field, following a single by Mookie Betts. This was Ohtani’s 34th home run of the season, putting him second in the National League behind Eugenio Suarez, who has 35 home runs after hitting two on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Although Betts was benched on Saturday, Dave Roberts decided to move him to the leadoff spot and Ohtani to second in the batting order on Sunday.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Betts came to bat for his fifth time on the day. He lined out to center, ending the game with Ohtani on deck.

"Just gotta play better in all facets. I can't speak for everyone. I just know for me, I gotta play better." Betts said. 

And now there’s reason for even more concern.

In the sixth inning, Freddie Freeman—one of the Dodgers' few reliable bats during this brutal stretch—was hit by a pitch on the left wrist. He exited the game immediately, and the team later announced it as a “left wrist contusion.” While initial X-rays were reportedly negative, anyone who saw Freeman grimace in pain knows the injury could loom large if it lingers. The Dodgers can ill afford another blow to their already inconsistent lineup.

"Obviously, when you see him walk off the field like that, very concerning. But the X-rays were negative,” Roberts said. “Putting him in the day-to-day category."

Freeman is day-to-day moving forward, Roberts said. 

Roberts mentioned that players are showing some frustration and letting more emotion come through as we clearly saw it from Clayton Kershaw as he exited the game visibly upset.

 "I'm frustrated. We're all frustrated. I don't know what else to say. We need to win a game. No excuses, just play better." Kershaw said. 

The good news is that it’s still July. There’s time to get healthy, time to reset, and time to reassert their place atop the division. But the urgency is real. The Giants and Padres are hovering, and the Dodgers’ margin for error is narrowing by the day.

In the fourth inning, the game unraveled for Kershaw: Milwaukee strung together hits flanked by three Dodgers errors, allowing all three runs (two earned) to score while he was on the mound. Notably, the errors weren’t on him, but they directly undermined his rhythm and turned potential outs into rallies. Kershaw was one out away from ending the fourth inning without allowing a run, but ultimately, errors were made by Tommy Edman, Andy Pages, and Esteury Ruiz.

Roberts said he thinks the defensive problems are from a “lack of focus.” He didn’t blame Edman for trying to make a tough play.

With the score slipping in the fifth, Roberts pulled Kershaw after 4⅓ innings. Lou Trivino took over but promptly gave up two inherited runs in just ⅓ of an inning, extending the margin. This wasn't Kershaw’s first stumble against Milwaukee—he had a similar setback on July 8, allowing 2 ER in 6 innings during a 3–1 loss.

“I don’t make anything of it. They beat us. We need to play better tomorrow,” Kershaw said. “I don’t have much to say. I’m going to get myself in trouble, so let’s just call it.”

Kershaw is 4–1 with a 3.27 ERA, 37 Ks, 16 walks, and a 1.25 WHIP across 55 innings.

The Dodgers' offense scored three early runs in the third inning, highlighted by Ohtani's home run and Dalton Rushing's sacrifice fly. Ruiz then hit the go-ahead home run in the fifth inning. However, the Brewers' offense quickly responded, scoring three runs in the sixth inning.

The Dodgers need to move on quickly as they prepare to welcome the Minnesota Twins on Monday for a three-game series, with Ohtani expected to pitch for at least three innings before handing the ball over to Dustin May.

In his last start, Ohtani threw three scoreless innings vs. the Giants, allowing just one hit, striking out four, and issuing one walk over 36 pitches. His nine-inning season ERA sits at a perfect 1.00. Minnesota will go with right‑hander David Festa (3‑3, ~5.25 ERA, 1.31 WHIP in 48 IP), who’s never faced the Dodgers.

The Dodgers face a delicate balancing act: riding Ohtani’s short outing, reinvigorating a flat lineup, and scrambling to protect a leaky bullpen. Monday’s game may not just be a win/loss—it’s a gauge of whether L.A. can steady the ship before the trade deadline reshapes the roster. If they check all boxes, this could be the reset they desperately need.