LOS ANGELES -- Back on sea level, or nearer to it, anyway, the script was flipped on the Los Angeles Dodgers, who dropped the opener of a four-game series and seven-game homestand.
They lost 3-2 to the Miami Marlins, their offense failing to erupt late and the bullpen with an about-face with a solid performance. It was far different from a day earlier when the Dodgers rallied for a victory at Colorado, keyed by a five-run ninth inning to save a bullpen that was in meltdown mode.
Rookie starter Ross Stripling (0-1) gave up just three runs, but in his fourth career start, he was far from efficient, lasting just 5⅓ innings on 107 pitches. The Marlins went on attack mode the third time through the order, hitting the ball hard and collecting a single run in the fifth inning and another in the sixth to take the lead for good.
Stripling gave up eight hits, including a deep home run down the left-field line by Giancarlo Stanton, his fifth of the year. But where the bullpen stumbled in Denver, it dominated in Los Angeles with J.P. Howell, Louis Coleman, Adam Liberatore and Joe Blanton not giving up as much as a hit over the final 3⅔ innings.
By then, though, the Marlins had enough for the victory, overcoming fourth-inning home runs from Yasiel Puig and Trayce Thompson. It was Thompson’s first home in a Dodgers uniform and sixth of his young career.
Miami won in Don Mattingly's return to Dodger Stadium as the Marlins' manager.
On Tuesday, the bullpen is expected to be one man shorter as the Dodgers are expected to alter the roster. They had been carrying eight relievers, mostly for the series at Colorado, but it is likely to go back to seven when outfielder Carl Crawford (back) comes off the 15-day disabled list.
