Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the New York Mets on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers left fielder Chris Taylor catches a fly ball hit by the New York Mets’ Starling Marte during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws against the New York Mets in the second inning at Dodger Stadium on April 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
New York Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea throws to the plate against the Dodgers in the second inning at Dodger Stadium on April 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steps up to bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani tosses a dead ball during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani grounds out during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani grounds out during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto adjusts his hat during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets designated hitter DJ Stewart runs the bases after hitting home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New York Mets’ DJ Stewart celebrates after hitting a home run against the Dodgers in the second inning at Dodger Stadium on April 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The New York Mets’ DJ Stewart celebrates after hitting a home run against the Dodgers in the second inning at Dodger Stadium on April 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
New York Mets designated hitter DJ Stewart, left, celebrates with Francisco Alvarez after hitting home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto adjusts his hat during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Alvarez is safe at second ahead of a throw to Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) during the second inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Alvarez reacts to a thumb injury on second base during the second inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Alvarez, left, reacts to a thumb injury on second base during the second inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New York Mets’ Harrison Bader runs to first after hitting an RBI single against the Dodgers in the second inning at Dodger Stadium on April 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto leaves the mound in the middle of the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets designated hitter DJ Stewart hits a sacrifice fly during the third inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Starling Marte scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New York Mets’ Starling Marte (6) returns to the dugout after scoring on a sacrifice fly hit by DJ Stewart during the third inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto points to a teammate during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New York Mets’ Harrison Bader makes it back to third base during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto walks to the dugout in the middle of the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws against the New York Mets in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on April 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto stands on the mound during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto stands on the mound during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani leads off of first during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws against the New York Mets in the second inning at Dodger Stadium on April 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steals second ahead of a throw to New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steals second ahead of a throw to New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani steals second base in front of New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil during the fourth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after stealing second ahead of a throw to New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (1) during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani rounds third on a single hit by Teoscar Hernández during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani slides home to score on a single hit by Teoscar Hernández during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani slides home to score a run against the New York Mets in the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium on April 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after scoring on a single hit by Teoscar Hernández during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a single hit by Teoscar Hernández during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a single hit by Teoscar Hernández during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, left, high-fives designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, after returning to the dugout after the top of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani singles during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Andy Pages scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani swings a strike during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani singles during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Andy Pages scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani singles against the New York Mets in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium on April 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Andy Pages celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a single hit by designated hitter Shohei Ohtani during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates after a single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Andy Pages scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates with first base coach Clayton McCullough (86) after a single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Andy Pages scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Kikè Hernández (8) flies out to right field during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Kikè Hernández (8) throws down his bat while flying out to right field during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Chris Taylor hits a two-run single to tie the score during the sixth inning of their game against the New York Mets on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Kikè Hernández celebrates after scoring on a single hit by Chris Taylor during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Will Smith also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Kikè Hernández celebrates after scoring off a single hit by Chris Taylor during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Will Smith also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor watches the flight of his two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor, left, celebrates his two-run home run with Starling Marte during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with designated hitter DJ Stewart after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Starling Marte also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor (12) returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Starling Marte (6) also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani swings for a strike during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers’ Will Smith (16) reacts after doubling during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor (12) scores on a single hit by DJ Stewart during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is at left. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor scores a run past Dodgers catcher Will Smith during the ninth inning on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. The Mets won, 9-4. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
New York Mets relief pitcher Jake Diekman, left, and catcher Omar Narváez celebrate a 9-4 victory over the Dodgers in a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, and second baseman Jeff McNeil celebrate after their 9-4 victory over the Dodgers in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on April 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani throws in the outfield before their game against the New York Mets on Friday at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani throws in the outfield before their game against the New York Mets on Friday at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, smiles after throwing in the outfield before their game against the New York Mets on Friday at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani walks to the dugout before their game against the New York Mets on Friday at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
LOS ANGELES — Freddie Freeman is not wrong.
“We just didn’t play good tonight. That was just not a good game,” Freeman said accurately after a 9-4 loss to the New York Mets on Friday night. “If we just play better baseball, we’re going to win. Our team is way too good. I think we all know that and I think we’re going to be just fine soon.”
In the meantime, they look far from fine. The defense cost them runs against the Mets. The bullpen continues to be unreliable. The starting pitching has been spotty. And the offense is not living up to the hype – including Freeman, who is beating himself up over a 2-for-22 slump (including 0 for 5 with three strikeouts on Friday).
The result is losses in four of their past five games and five of their past seven after Francisco Lindor’s two-run home run broke a seventh-inning tie and opened the door for the Mets to score five times in the last three innings.
The Dodgers were outhit 14-6 by a Mets team that has won five in a row and six of its past seven.
“I think when you lose four out of five and play the way we’ve played, it’s a combo. It really is,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s hard to pick one thing. I think each game you look at, it could be the starting pitcher, it could be the ’pen, it could be offensively we’re not putting up enough runs.
“Tonight was kind of a microcosm of what we’ve been through. All facets, we could’ve been better. I think about a week ago I said we’ve only played about three games of a complete game. I think we’re still there. So we’ve got to put together a complete game as a team. … The nice thing about tomorrow is it’s a day game. We don’t have to wear this loss much longer.”
They had better sleep fast then.
The Mets bolted out to a 4-0 lead against Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Friday.
The Dodgers’ $325 million man has a 4.50 ERA after five starts and has looked like the dominant starter he came advertised as for only occasional single innings.
Yamamoto did solve one problem. Seven of the eight runs and eight of the 13 hits he allowed in his first four starts came in the first inning – most of those in South Korea, where he didn’t pitch beyond the first inning.
This time, he retired the Mets in order in the first inning, striking out two, and needed just nine pitches to do it.
Trouble was stuck in traffic and arrived late. Yamamoto gave up a home run to D.J. Stewart in the second inning. An error by catcher Will Smith on a dribbler in front of the plate extended the inning long enough for Harrison Bader to drive in a second run with an RBI single.
Yamamoto walked the leadoff batter in the third and gave up a double to Starling Marte. Pete Alonso drove in one run with a single and another scored on a sacrifice fly to make it a 4-0 Mets getaway.
Six of the Mets’ seven hits off Yamamoto came after he had two strikes on the batter.
“When he’s going well, I think like any pitcher, he’s getting ahead in the count. He’s sequencing his pitch mix,” Roberts said. “He’s a four-pitch guy so when he’s going well, he’s getting ahead and he’s putting hitters away. I think there was that at-bat where he had count leverage on (Harrison) Bader and he left a fastball out over. He had a chance to go for the strikeout right there and didn’t execute a pitch to put him away.
“Those are little things, the fine-tuning that when you get count leverage with guys in scoring position, you’ve got to be able to put them away. Kind of goes back with the fastball command. But this certainly isn’t on him. We’ve got to do stuff as a team offensively, too.”
Shohei Ohtani walked to lead off the fourth inning, stole second and scored on a two-out RBI single by Teoscar Hernandez, ending a stretch of 12 scoreless innings for the Dodgers.
In the fifth, Andy Pages led off with a double and scored on Ohtani’s two-out RBI single – raising his average with runners in scoring position to .100 (2 for 20).
In the sixth, the Dodgers tied the score when two errors by third baseman Joey Wendle helped load the bases with two outs for Chris Taylor. Taylor came into the game 1 for 35 this season with a stretch of 30 hitless at-bats.
He made that 0 for 31 when he hit into a double play in the third inning, but that ground ball came off his bat at 100 mph. His two-run single in the sixth came off his bat at 104.7 mph and tied the score.
“Just felt good to do something to help the team, honestly,” said Taylor, who finished the day 2 for 38 this season. “It’s no secret I’ve been grinding a little bit. Just trying to keep things as simple as I possibly can. Look for something in the middle of the plate. Just glad I was able to come through finally.”
The feel-good moment didn’t last.
Yamamoto made it through six innings for the first time in his MLB career. Daniel Hudson took over in the seventh and struck out Brandon Nimmo to start the inning. Mookie Betts handled a chopper by Marte but his throw to first was in the dirt and wide, pulling Freeman off the bag.
“When you’re not playing really good baseball, things like that seem to always get you,” Roberts said. “That’s kind of what’s happening right now.”
Hudson got ahead 0-and-2 to the next batter, Francisco Lindor. But Lindor fought back to a full count and slammed a hanging slider from Hudson into the right field pavilion.
The Mets added two more runs in the eighth inning off an ineffective Joe Kelly, whose ERA swelled to 7.27. Ryan Brasier’s sits at an even 5.00 after he gave up another run on three hits in the ninth.
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