Dodgers’ offense goes south as they lose series in Atlanta - OCRegister

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• Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer throws to the plate during the first inning of Sunday’s game against the Braves in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (54) works agains the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• Atlanta Braves’ Dansby Swanson, right, celebrates with Ehire Adrianza, left, after scoring in the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (54) throws Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) out at first base after a ground ball in the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) drives in a run with a double as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) looks on in the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves’ Freddie Freeman (5) runs behind Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) to score on an OzzIe Albies double in the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves’ Freddie Freeman (5) runs home to score in the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) reacts after hitting an RBI double in the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (54) works against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Albert Pujols (55) bats against the Atlanta Braves during a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Albert Pujols drives in a run with a base hit in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner (10) is greeted by Manager Dave Roberts (30) as he returns to the dugout after scoring on an Albert Pujols base hit in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves’ Ehire Adrianza, right,slides into third base ahead of the throw to Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, front left, after a ground ball by William Contreras in the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) reacts after hitting a fly ball during a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers strikes out on a curveball by Max Fried in the top of the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor (3) jumps after fouling a pitch off his foot in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• The Dodgers’ Chris Taylor grimaces after fouling a pitch off his foot during the fourth inning of Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Braves in Atlanta. Taylor remained in the game. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers field a fly ball in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves fields a ground ball hit by Cody Bellinger in the top of the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) is shown during a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves left fielder Abraham Almonte makes a running catch to retire Los Angeles Dodgers’ Albert Pujols in the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves’ Abraham Almonte, bottom, advances to second base as the ball gets away from Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Chris Taylor, top right, after a Ehire Adrianza base hit in the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves’ Abraham Almonte (34) scores on a Ender Inciarte base hit in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (54) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts dives back to first ahead of the throw from Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried in the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) delivers against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) throws to an Atlanta Braves batter in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves bunts to advance two runners in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried, right, hands the ball over to Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, left, as catcher William Contreras, center, looks on in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves fields a ground ball hit by Will Smith in the top of the 5th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Albert Pujols #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes a base hit in the top of the 4th inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• Atlanta Braves’ Abraham Almonte (34) drives in a run with a double as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith looks on in the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter (33) works in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter (33) reacts after getting Los Angeles Dodgers pinch hitter Max Muncy to pop out for the final out in the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Victor Gonzalez (81) delivers in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Victor Gonzalez (81) delivers in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Chris Martin #55 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: David Price #33 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the bottom of the 8th inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Ender Inciarte #11 of the Atlanta Braves hits a fly ball in the 8th inning to score Guillermo Heredia against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Guillermo Heredia #38 of the Atlanta Braves beats the throw to home plate after a fly ball hit by Ender Inciarte in the 8th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• Atlanta Braves’ Guillermo Heredia (38) scores ahead of the throw to Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, right, on a sacrifice fly by Ender Inciarte in the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Nate Jones #41 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the bottom of the 8th inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• Los Angeles Dodgers’ Albert Pujols points as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Albert Pujols #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds third base after hitting a home run off of Will Smith of the Atlanta Braves in the top of the 9th inning at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Guillermo Heredia #38, of the Atlanta Braves watches as fans clamor for a home run ball hit by Albert Pujols of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 9th inning at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Nate Jones #41 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the bottom of the 8th inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: William Contreras #24 and Will Smith #51 of the Atlanta Braves shake hands after beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

• ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 06: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves smiles at Albert Pujols #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after a Pujols base hit in the top of the 4th inning at Truist Park on June 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)

ATLANTA — Every home game at Truist Park, a fully-Spandexed Atlanta Braves employee dubbed “The Freeze” spots a lucky fan a head start and races him around the outfield warning track.

The Freeze routinely catches the fading fan before the finish line. But not Sunday afternoon. The fan stayed in front the whole way – perhaps providing the third-place Dodgers with an object lesson.

The Dodgers were held in check by left-hander Max Fried in a 4-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday afternoon, losing a series to last year’s NLCS opponent – one they spotted a 3-games-to-1 lead before overtaking them in seven.

The Dodgers have slipped into another funk, losing six of their past nine games. The offense has scored big in the three wins (32 runs) but flowed less freely in the six losses (23 runs).

“It’s a long season,” said first baseman Albert Pujols, who drove in both of the Dodgers’ runs Sunday. “Sometimes you’re gonna hit those spurts here and there where you get a good winning streak and sometimes you’re gonna have some bad outings out there where we don’t score a lot of runs for our pitchers.

“I think Trevor (Bauer) did a great job, keeping us in the game. Obviously, our offense today didn’t respond like we wanted to. But at the end of the day, we have too many great players here in this clubhouse and we know what we need to do.”

That collection of players will reach the 60-game mark on Tuesday in Pittsburgh at least eight wins behind last year’s 43-17 sprint pace, trailing both the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres in the NL West.

“It’s been inconsistent, I think,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, assessing the season to date. “There’s been some really good play. There’s been some mediocre play. I think the win-loss – I don’t really concern myself too much with that right now. I think just across the board – I think the pitching has been really good, consistently. I think offensively we’ve just got to continue to take good at-bats and just be more consistent on that side.”

After scoring eight runs in the fifth inning Friday night – an explosion fueled by the dry tinder of five walks – the Dodgers managed just seven in their next 22 innings including just two over the final 14 innings of their time in Atlanta. They hit just .162 (16 for 99) while losing two of three to the Braves over the weekend.

They didn’t even have a hit for the first three innings Sunday as Fried, a former Harvard-Westlake star, retired the first 10 Dodgers in order.

Justin Turner broke that up with a double off the left-field wall in the fourth inning and scored two batters later when Pujols dropped a 68.4 mph flare into right field for a two-out RBI single. It was Pujols’ 11th RBI since joining the Dodgers, the eighth against a left-handed pitcher.

That is what the Dodgers signed Pujols to do – produce against left-handed pitching, still an overall team deficiency. But he couldn’t come through again when he came up with runners on second and third and two outs in the sixth inning. Left fielder Abraham Almonte ran down his fly ball in foul territory to end the inning.

“I see some better at-bats against left-handed pitching the last three or four starts against us,” Roberts said. “I thought today Fried was really good. There was a two-seamer, there was a four-seamer. I thought the slider was really good against left and right. You can see he was really focused today against us.”

Singles by AJ Pollock and Cody Bellinger started the seventh inning and chased Fried from the game. But a fresh lefty, reliever A.J. Minter, replaced Fried. Freddie Freeman made a nice play on Will Smith’s pop-up in shallow right. Gavin Lux and Max Muncy hit lazy fly balls and the Dodgers came up empty, finishing the day 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

“Huge, obviously,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Minter’s contribution. “You’ve got the tying run on base. Throw strikes and quality strikes which he did. That kind of turned the tide. the momentum was slipping away at that point and kind of edging back into their court and he gave it right back to us.”

The Braves were just as bad with runners in scoring position, going 1 for 10 in those situations against Bauer. But they annexed first base into scoring position – RBI doubles in the second and third innings by Almonte and Ozzie Albies scored runners from first base. They got to Bauer for another run in the sixth after he walked the first batter (Almonte) and gave up a single to Ehire Adrianza. Two batters later, Ender Inciarte drove Almonte in with a single through the shift.

The six hits Bauer allowed Sunday were his season-high. But it was the sixth time in his 13 starts that the Dodgers have been held to two runs or fewer. Sunday was the first time in his four losses that Bauer has given up more than two runs himself.

“Everyone likes to make a big deal of run support. ‘This person doesn’t get runs. They don’t hit for this person’ or whatever,” Bauer said. “Regardless of what’s on the scoreboard, my job is to go out there and not give up runs. Nothing changes if we’re ahead or behind. Whatever. It’s nice to be ahead. But it’s not like I’m going out there thinking about ‘Oh, I don’t get run support so I gotta be extra fine or careful or anything like that.’

“My job is to not give up runs. So that’s what I do.”

The Braves got another run off David Price in the eighth, mitigating the damage Pujols did in the ninth when he hit his 671st career home run and fourth with the Dodgers. The solo shot came off yet another lefty, Braves closer Will Smith.

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