Dodgers Blast Dunning, Expose Thin Texas Rangers Bullpen Once Again

The Los Angeles Dodgers offense roughed up Dane Dunning and again exposed the Texas Rangers' thin bullpen.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas – It got ugly fast for the Texas Rangers Saturday afternoon.

The Los Angeles Dodgers scored 10 unanswered runs over the first four innings to blow out the Rangers 16-3 at Globe Life Field.

Rangers' pitchers allowed a season-high 18 hits and tied a season-high with five home runs allowed.

The Dodgers (57-40) blew out the Rangers (58-41) 11-5 Friday night. The series finale is at 1:35 p.m. Sunday.

Freddie Freeman homered in the third and fourth innings to help the Dodgers build their lead.

Dodgers 13, Rangers 3

Here are some notables from the Rangers' loss to the Dodgers Saturday afternoon.

Hits Keep Coming Against Rangers

Texas Rangers pitchers allowed a season-high 17 hits in Saturday's loss to the Dodgers. The Rangers had allowed 14 hits three times, all coming early in the season on April 8, April 12, and May 12.

The Dodgers' season high for hits is 18 against the Rockies in Colorado on June 29. They had 17 against the Phillies on May 2.

How bad was it for Texas?

Utility infielder Brad Miller was forced to pitch the eighth and had better results than others out of the bullpen. Miller replaced Yerry Rodriguez with two on and no outs in the eighth and allowed a run to score on a sacrifice fly, before getting Jason Heyward to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Dane Dunning Knocked Out Early

Rangers starter Dane Dunning, who has been their most consistent pitcher this season, had his worst outing of the year. He allowed a season-high five runs on seven hits and two walks in a season-low three innings. He still managed to throw 79 pitches. Home runs by Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy in the third inning were the final blows against him and gave the Dodgers a 5-1 lead.

Dunning entered the day with a 2.82 ERA. He had allowed a season-high four runs only twice in 13 starts.

Up Next

The Rangers will attempt to prevent a Dodgers sweep as they play the series finale at 1:35 p.m. Sunday.

Left-hander Martin Perez (7-3, 4.84) faces the Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan (3-0, 4.91).

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