Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber strikes out during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw reacts to an out during the first inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sánchez throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani waits on deck during the first inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sánchez throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani follows through on a swing during the first inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani bats during the first inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Bobby Dickerson, right, is caught stealing at second base by Dodgers shortstop Nick Ahmed during the third inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Edmundo Sosa reacts after striking out during the third inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches his fly ball out during the third inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts as he adjusts his helmet during the third inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Kevin Kiermaier runs up the base line during the third inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, reaches for the ball after the Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm struck out during the fourth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sánchez throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, applauds after third baseman Kike Hernández made a play during the fourth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Austin Hays hits a double during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Austin Hays celebrates at second base after hitting a double during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw reacts after hitting the Philadelphia Phillies’ Brandon Marsh with a pitch during the fifth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber hits an RBI single during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber hits an RBI single during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Austin Hays, right, scores on an RBI single by Kyle Schwarber as Dodgers catcher Will Smith looks on during the fifth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Austin Hays celebrates in the dugout after scoring on an RBI single by Kyle Schwarber during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber gestures after hitting an RBI single during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw, left, hands the ball to Manager Dave Roberts, right, as catcher Will Smith looks on after Kershaw was removed during the fifth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw walks off the field after being removed during the fifth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts as he runs back to the dugout past Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sánchez during the fifth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol, left, reacts in front of catcher Will Smith after straining his hamstring during the sixth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts calls for a new pitcher to replace injured relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol, center, during the sixth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol, center, is helped off the field by teammate Kike Hernandez, right, and a trainer after straining his hamstring during the sixth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol, center, shows his frustration as he is helped off the field by teammate Kike Hernández, left, and a member of the training staff during the sixth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. Graterol, who the team said suffered a strained right hamstring, was just eight pitches into his season debut after missing the first half of the season with right shoulder inflammation. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Nick Castellanos hits an RBI single during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm runs home to score on a Nick Castellanos single during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, shows his frustration as the Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm scores during the sixth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Nick Castellanos, right, gestures after hitting an RBI single during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm celebrates in the dugout after scoring on an RBI single by Nick Castellanos during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Nick Castellanos, right, and J.T. Realmuto celebrate after they scored on a two-run double by Edmundo Sosa during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Edmundo Sosa, right, celebrates with Paco Figueroa after hitting a two-run single during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, left, is greeted by teammate Kike Hernández as he returns to the dugout after scoring on an RBI groundout by Will Smith during the sixth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Dodgers third baseman Kike Hernández makes a catch for an out on a ball hit by the Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper during the sixth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Brent Honeywell throws to the plate during the seventh inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper, right, talks to Dodgers third baseman Kike Hernández as they wait for a video replay review during the seventh inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper, right, talks to shortstop Trea Turner during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Matt Strahm throws to the plate during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani at bat during the seventh inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Matt Strahm celebrates after getting the third out during the bottom of the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a fly ball during the eighth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández hits a solo home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández watches the flight of his solo home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández, center, celebrates with teammate Freddie Freeman, left, in front of Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Edmundo Sosa celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Edmundo Sosa, left, celebrates with teammate Kyle Schwarber after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Edmundo Sosa celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber gestures to his dugout after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Dodgers relief pitcher Brent Honeywell reacts after allowing a solo home run to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber during the ninth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber, center, celebrates with teammate Trea Turner, second from right, as Dodgers catcher Will Smith, right, looks on after Schwarber hit a solo home run during the ninth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber, right, celebrates with teammate Brandon Marsh in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Carlos Estévez celebrates after the final out of their 6-2 victory over the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto, right, and relief pitcher Carlos Estevez celebrate after their 6-2 victory over the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies players celebrate after their 6-2 victory over the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
LOS ANGELES — There was a shakeup on Tuesday, but it did not come at the top of the National League standings.
There was a possum sighting along the right field wall late in the game, only it was not the time to play dead.
With the top spot in the NL on the line and Clayton Kershaw piling up zeroes, Tuesday resembled so many high-energy nights of the past 17 years as the sun began to set.
Nighttime changed the mood entirely.
One strike away from five scoreless innings, Kershaw instead gave up a two-out RBI single to Kyle Schwarber that started the Phillies on their way to a 6-2 victory.
The quake and the possum followed in the final three innings. What the Dodgers really needed was some lightning.
Adding to the mayhem was what appeared to be a season-ending hamstring injury to right-hander Brusdar Graterol just as he was making his season debut Tuesday following a shoulder injury. Graterol’s year likely will end after 2½ batters and eight pitches.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Brusdar, he’s been so good for us. He’s done a lot of good things, he’s pitched in a lot of big ballgames for us, postseason games. He had a tough road back and to come back to blow out – and it was a pretty good Grade 3 blowout – that’s (another) long road back. I feel terrible for him and his teammates.”
Not only did first place in the NL fail to change hands, the Dodgers fell 1½ games back while also dropping the season series to the Phillies, who earned a three-game sweep in Philadelphia last month.
Also gone is the Dodgers’ modest three-game winning streak, which felt like so much more in the wake of five loses in six games. Their NL West lead has dwindled to four games over the Padres.
With a fastball that never reached 92 mph, Kershaw was at his crafty best early. The veteran of nearly two decades gave up just three hits over four scoreless innings and had four strikeouts.
“Really, this one tonight, I felt pretty good overall,” Kershaw said. “Just made some dumb mistakes. A couple of guys got on base 0-2, which shouldn’t happen. Those are frustrating but I think overall, I think it’s another good step in the right direction.”
Opening the fifth inning in a scoreless game, the three-time Cy Young Award winner got Nick Castellanos to fly out before Austin Hays doubled. Brandon Marsh was hit by a pitch but Edmundo Sosa struck out. With the count full to Schwarber, Kershaw let go of an 88-mph slider that the Phillies’ leadoff hitter dunked into center field for a 1-0 lead.
Roberts immediately removed Kershaw, ending his 81-pitch night.
“You want to win the game,” said Kershaw, who was pacing in the dugout after he was removed. “Health-wise, I’m fine. So we’re not worried about staying healthy. It’s just a matter of pitching good and being a contributing factor to helping this team win games.”
Kershaw (0-2) gave up five hits in 4⅔ innings with no walks and five strikeouts. It was a far cry from his outing last week in San Diego, when he gave up seven runs (three earned) over 3⅔ innings.
“I can speak about giving him time and a runway, but this guy is the greatest competitor I’ve ever been around and so the time for him is now,” Roberts said. “There was just a different look tonight. Coming off that last outing, you can see it. Anybody watching the game could see the conviction, the throws. He willed himself to have a quality outing.”
In the sixth, Graterol had to be helped off the field and down the dugout steps.
Alec Bohm singled and J.T. Realmuto worked a walk off Brent Honeywell Jr. that was charged to Graterol. Castellanos followed with an RBI single. Hays struck out before Brandon Marsh walked to load the bases and Sosa followed with a two-run single for a 4-0 lead.
Teoscar Hernandez scored a run on a Will Smith ground out in the sixth inning and hit his 25th home run in the eighth, but offensive production was minimal as he provided two of the Dodgers’ seven hits. One of those hits was a double by Freddie Freeman in the first inning, the 500th of his career.
The Phillies put the game away with back-to-back home runs from Sosa and Schwarber off Honeywell, who finished the game by allowing three runs on eight hits in 3⅔ innings.
“I thought Brent did a good job taking down the rest of the game and saved everyone else,” Roberts said. “We pushed him tonight. And when you’re in a stretch of 19 games in 20 days, you need guys who can do that.”
Help is on the way for the bullpen Wednesday. Roberts said that right-hander Michael Grove has recovered from a right lat injury and will be activated to the roster.
Originally Published: August 6, 2024 at 10:22 p.m.
