Dave Roberts defended his decision to leave Blake Snell in for the seventh inning of Wednesday's Game 3 of the NLCS, a choice that backfired when the Dodgers lefty surrendered back-to-back home runs to Milwaukee Brewers batters Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell in a 6-2 loss.
Snell had pitched six strong innings, allowing only a first-pitch home run while striking out nine and walking one. Roberts said he wanted to push Snell for three more hitters, relying on reliever Evan Phillips to handle the fourth batter if needed.
"I just saw that through the sixth inning, and then once we got to the seventh inning, I think he retired 13 or 14 in a row and his stuff was really good," Roberts said postgame. "I don't think they were seeing him well. I was trying to get him three more hitters."
The seventh inning unraveled quickly. Andrew Vaughn drew a leadoff walk on seven pitches. Bauers, a left-handed batter, then worked an 11-pitch at-bat before hitting a home run off Snell. Roberts kept Snell in to face Mitchell, another lefty, who also homered, marking the first time in Snell's career he allowed consecutive home runs to left-handed batters.
Roberts acknowledged the leadoff walk hurt but said he remained confident in Snell's stuff. On the decision to leave Snell in during Bauers' at-bat, Roberts said: "The Bauers at-bat, it's the middle of the at-bat, so he's going to finish that at-bat. Then he gives up a homer, you're down a run. For me, I just don't think it made sense, given where he was throwing the baseball, pitch count, all that stuff, to allow him to get through Mitchell."
Snell had not allowed a home run all season entering Game 3. However, his season has been limited by shoulder and elbow issues. The two home runs in the seventh inning proved decisive for the Brewers, with the Dodgers managing little offensive support. The loss pushed Los Angeles to the brink of elimination in the series.