LOS ANGELES — Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo kept it blunt Friday night when he addressed a key issue from their back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Aug 11, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) walks back to the dugout during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Over the first two games of the series, the Diamondbacks have run into baserunning miscues that have led to costly outs. Whether it was being doubled off on a lineout, tagged out at home or slipping off the base with a tag still applied, Arizona has let momentum shifts slip away.

And while facing a team like the reigning World Series champions, every out is crucial.

“We’ve got to figure that out,” Lovullo said, according to Arizona Sports. “We run the bases very aggressively. We made an inning and a third of outs in two games, and that’s not D-Back baseball. We take advantage of the right situations and advance 90 feet.”

The D-backs’ aggressive approach, typically a strength, has turned into a liability with multiple runners erased in key moments. The outs have stalled rallies, especially during Friday’s contest when the Diamondbacks and Dodgers played a closely contested game that Arizona went on to lose by one run.

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Lovullo pointed to one play he was willing to excuse, but beyond that, the manager made it clear adjustments are needed.

“The one where Alek [Thomas] overslid third base, I can live with a little bit,” he said. “He beat the throw, and just his momentum carried him off. But the other three, we can be a little bit better.”

Mar 27, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas (5) is out against Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (13) in the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Arizona has built its identity around pressure, forcing defenses into mistakes with speed and baserunning IQ. Against Los Angeles, that edge wasn’t there and execution failed in critical spots.

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Lovullo made it clear the aggression wasn’t the issue, but situational awareness. Cleaner reads and better decision-making are the focus moving forward. If there’s anything the club has learned in the first two games of the season, it’s that staying aggressive while being smarter on the basepaths can turn the tide of games.

Mar 27, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Pavin Smith (26) is out at home against Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) in the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Diamondbacks and Dodgers close out their three-game series on Saturday, March 28, at 6:10 p.m.

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*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde