PHOENIX – Detaiils, details, details.
Baseball managers are always harping about them, how important the basics of the game are to success.
One of those details — reliever Blake Hawksworth’s failure to cover first base — came back to slap the Los Angeles Dodgers in the face in their stunning 7-6 10-inning loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.
Ryan Roberts’ grand slam capped a six-run 10th that gave Arizona the victory after the Dodgers had scored five in the top of the extra inning.
“Hawks not covering first opens the door,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “From there anything happens. We basically gave them an extra out and that cost us.”
The Dodgers had scored five runs in their half of the 10th and retired the first two batters in Arizona’s half of the inning.
But the Diamondbacks loaded the bases, with the help of reliever Blake Hawksworth’s failure to cover first base, and scored a run on an error. Los Angeles closer Javy Guerra (2-1) came on and walked in a run, then Roberts lined the first pitch he saw over the fence in left field. It was Guerra’s second blown save in 23 tries.
“That was unbelievable,” Roberts said. “I’ve never been a
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