Justin Wrobleski‘s struggles continued as the Dodgers’ left-handed starter gave up a pair of two-run home runs in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Milwaukee’s Joey Ortiz hit the first one 373 feet to left field in the second inning, and Wilson Contreras hit the other 389 feet to left-center in the fourth.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts doesn’t believe Wrobleski’s woes are fatigue-related. However, the first-time All-Star, who gave up four hits through six innings, has pitched a career-high 126⅓ innings this season.
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“I do know that the command hasn’t been there,” Roberts said before the game. “Balls early that were getting hit at guys are going out of the ballpark. But I do think simplifying his pitch mix [and] making better-quality pitches will be helpful. But yeah, I mean, he has thrown a lot, but I still feel like the stuff, for me, isn’t ticking now.
“Is it sustainable? Yeah, we’ll see,” Roberts added. “At some point in time, he’s going to go to the ‘pen anyway ... because [of] the guys that we have coming back.”
The Brewers took advantage. With Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski — the favorite for the NL Cy Young Award — giving up just five hits, the Dodgers struggled against a pitcher they could see again in the postseason.
“He’s one of the best in the game, if not the best right now,” Roberts said.
Misiorowski managed to get out of a jam in the fifth. After a trio of one-out singles from Teoscar Hernández, Alex Call and Hunter Feduccia, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman each came up with the bases loaded.
But Misiorowski, who leads the majors in ERA (1.75) and strikeouts (210), fanned both and silenced the announced crowd of 47,767 as the Brewers (76-48) made sure the Dodgers (74-50) will not overtake them for best record in the NL this weekend.
The Dodgers scored their only run on an Ohtani triple to right that scored Call from first in the third inning.
Brewers relievers Antonio Senzatela and Aaron Ashby didn’t give up a hit, and Jonathan Hernandez gave up just one in three innings of relief for the Dodgers.
“They’re just a gritty team,” Roberts said. “They pitch well [and] they defend well; it’s kind of what they do. ... It’s just a really well-rounded team.”
Injury updates
Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to make one more minor-league start, consisting of five innings and 75 pitches. He’s expected to join the Dodgers around the team’s end-of-August road trip to Atlanta and Detroit.
Will Smith took part in batting practice Friday and caught a bullpen session.
“The arrow is pointing up for Will,” Roberts said. “Don’t know when he’s going to partake in a live situation, but that’ll be kind of a good gauge.”
Kyle Tucker was given Saturday off amid his frustrations at the plate, where he’s hitting .192 at home compared to .275 on the road.
“The fact is, the splits are stark home-road,” Roberts said. “I don’t think we have a reason behind it ... he’s conscious of it, though.”
Reggie Smith honored
Former Dodgers outfielder and 1981 World Series champion Reggie Smith was inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball on Saturday before the game.
“It’s very special, being able to share this with my family,” Smith said. “Especially my 93-year-old brother and my 95-year-old sister that are here. This is a very, very special day.”
Smith, a seven-time All-Star from Compton, spent six of his 17 MLB seasons with the Dodgers and hit .297 with 97 homers and 301 RBIs with the team.
He was part of the historic 1977 Dodgers that saw four players — Smith, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey and Dusty Baker — each hit 30 or more home runs.
“I had a job to do, and it was about trying to bring a world championship to Los Angeles,” Smith said. “And I played with a great bunch of guys. ... I was just that glad to have been a part of it and helped that era.”
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.