The Los Angeles Dodgers led 4-2 in the eighth inning Wednesday and seemed all set to sweep their three-game series with the Cleveland Guardians.
Then the Guardians struck for five runs in the bottom of the eighth. Angel Martinez capped the rally with a three-run homer off Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia, and the Guardians beat the Dodgers 7-4 in Cleveland to salvage the last game of the series.
Long-time Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has often been beset by late-season injuries and has a 4.91 ERA this year, but he was solid in his start Wednesday. Kershaw gave up one run on six hits in five innings.
After winning seven straight to reach .500, the Los Angeles Angels lost their fifth straight Wednesday. The New York Yankees edged the Angels 1-0 at Anaheim. The Miami Marlins beat the San Diego Padres 10-8 at San Diego.
The Dodgers’ lead in the National League West over the second-place Padres held at two games. The Chicago Cubs have a three-game lead over St. Louis in the NL Central, and Philadelphia leads the New York Mets by two in the NL East.
The New York Yankees (seven games over Toronto in the American League East) and Detroit (six games over the Guardians in the AL Central) have fairly fat leads in their respective divisions. The Seattle Mariners’ lead on Houston in the AL West has narrowed to a half game.
The Dodgers, Angels and Padres all open three-game series Friday. The Angels will play at Cleveland, the Padres will host Pittsburgh and the Dodgers will host the Yankees.