{"id":298710,"date":"2026-05-04T04:29:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T04:29:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/298710\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T04:29:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T04:29:25","slug":"justin-wrobleski-shines-as-dodgers-end-4-game-losing-streak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/298710\/","title":{"rendered":"Justin Wrobleski shines as Dodgers end 4-game losing streak"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ST. LOUIS\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Enough was enough.<\/p>\n

The Dodgers<\/a> entered Sunday on a four-game losing streak, with a lack of offense undermining solid performances from the pitching staff. They were on the verge of being swept by the St. Louis Cardinals, after losing a series to the Miami Marlins<\/a> in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it gets to a certain point, we do a good job of kind of nipping it,\u201d manager Dave Roberts said before the Dodgers\u2019 4-1 win<\/a>. \u201cAnd today is one of those days that \u2026 we\u2019ve got to find a way to win a game. And whatever it takes, we\u2019re all prepared to do that. And if you look at the track record, we\u2019ve done well in moments like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

It took a second straight start of six scoreless innings from Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski,<\/a> along with the bullpen holding St. Louis to one run.<\/p>\n

That was enough to make the Dodgers\u2019 offensive contributions count. Though it was far from an onslaught, the four runs were the most they scored in a game since Monday.<\/p>\n

\u201cOffensively we just haven\u2019t been very good the last week,\u201d first baseman Freddie Freeman said after the game. \u201cJust call a spade a spade sometimes. There\u2019s no way to sugarcoat it. We just haven\u2019t been very good, and we\u2019ve got to be better.<\/p>\n

\u201cLuckily, Wrobo, our starting pitching has been amazing. They deserve a lot more than they\u2019ve gotten over the last two weeks. So it\u2019s on us to start scoring some more runs. We know we\u2019ll be fine. I understand you guys gotta ask these questions, but no one\u2019s worried in here. And good to get a win on a day game, salvage a series, and hopefully start a better streak [Monday] in Houston.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Dodgers (21-13) still dropped the series to the Cardinals (20-14) and are 7-9 over the last 2\u00bd weeks. They\u2019ve won only one of their last five series.<\/p>\n

Offense lacking power \"Hyeseong <\/p>\n

Hyeseong Kim follows through for an RBI single in the second inning for the Dodgers against the Cardinals on Sunday.<\/p>\n

(Scott Kane \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n

The Dodgers extended their homerless streak to six games. Since April 21, they\u2019ve hit only three home runs.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery surprised,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cAnd honestly, we haven\u2019t really come close, either. So yeah, I\u2019m surprised. It\u2019s a team that, we can slug. I think a little bit is some of the passivity, the carefulness. And there\u2019s going to be some swing-and-miss there, that\u2019s just in a lot of our hitters, anyway. But what you don\u2019t want is guys to be careful and cautious.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Dodgers on Sunday got an RBI double from Andy Pages and RBI singles from Freeman, Hyeseong Kim and Alex Call.<\/p>\n

An illness swept through the clubhouse during the slump. But one of the hitters who was hit the hardest, third baseman Max Muncy, has continued to produce.<\/p>\n

He went 10 for 17 with four home runs in Colorado. And even after cooling slightly, he entered Sunday with a team-best .937 on-base-plus-slugging percentage over the last 11 games, then had a hit and a walk and scored.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are times where he probably could have and should have had some days off in the middle of this,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cBut he hasn\u2019t. He\u2019s had the one day off and then a half-game. But I\u2019m really impressed with the way he\u2019s persevered and got to the other side of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rotation battle heating up \"ST <\/p>\n

Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski delivers against the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth inning Sunday.<\/p>\n

(Dilip Vishwanat \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

After Emmet Sheehan battled mechanical problems and gave up four runs in 4\u2154 innings Friday, and Roki Sasaki authored his first quality start of the season Saturday, Wrobleski upped the ante. On Sunday, he improved his earned-run average to 1.25 over six games.<\/p>\n

Wrobleski\u2019s first outing of the season was in long relief, when the Dodgers needed only five starters because of days off early in the schedule. He hasn\u2019t give up more than one run in any of his five starts since and is 5-0. And after throwing five innings in his first start, he\u2019s pitched through at least the sixth in every game.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got a good pace to him, puts the ball in play,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cAnd obviously he\u2019d like to get some more swing-and-miss, but those guys are swinging the bats and hitting at guys, and a lot of soft contact. I just like the way the guys stay involved behind him. And every single time he takes the baseball, we have an opportunity to win a game, most importantly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Efficiency and pitching to contact are Wrobleski\u2019s calling cards, and he took that to the extreme Sunday when he navigated six innings without a strikeout.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a lot of two-strike counts and they kept putting it in play,\u201d he said with a smile. \u201cI was, \u2018All right, I\u2019ll take the out.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

When the time comes to clear a spot in the rotation for rehabbing left-hander Blake Snell, the Dodgers\u2019 decision won\u2019t be based solely on results. But Wrobleski\u2019s strong showing to begin the season, and versatility in multiple roles, has all but guaranteed him at least a spot on the roster for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n

Injury updates<\/p>\n

Dodgers minor-league affiliates have hosted a rush of rehab outings recently.<\/p>\n

On Saturday, reliever Brusdar Graterol (shoulder surgery) played his first game since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. Throwing an inning for triple-A Oklahoma City, he retired the side in just eight pitches, recording one strikeout.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hasn\u2019t pitched a whole lot in the last two, three years, so his buildup needs to be methodical,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to him getting going.\u201d<\/p>\n

Snell (shoulder fatigue) threw four innings for Oklahoma City in his third rehab start Sunday, and Brock Stewart (shoulder surgery) faced three batters after pitching on back-to-back days last week.<\/p>\n

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