The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t hit well with runners in scoring position as they fell to the New York Mets in the finale of a three-game series, but a misplayed ball by Gavin Lux with two outs in the seventh inning led to insurance runs that wound up being the difference.
With the Mets ahead 3-2, Brandon Nimmo lifted a fly ball over Lux’s head into a no man’s land in shallow right field. Lux initially looked like he had an easy play, but he pulled up and turned to watch it fall just in front of Mookie Betts.
Mets catcher James McCann scored on the miscue, and Starling Marte followed with an RBI single before Caleb Ferguson could get out of the inning.
Having previously misplayed a slow grounder, Lux took accountability for allowing the blooper to fall rather than making a catch for the third out, via Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
“That’s probably a ball I’ve got to catch,” Lux said. “I got turned around a little bit, but it’s a ball I’ve got to catch.”
The Dodgers were able to position themselves with a chance to come back off of Mets closer Edwin Díaz in the eighth inning, but only mustered one run.
Lux represented the tying run at the plate when he struck out swinging on a 103 mph fastball from Díaz.
Gavin Lux defensive miscues
Lux has dealt with some defensive trouble this season after attempting to mirror the versatility that Chris Taylor displays with the ability to play both infield and outfield.
A key throwing error in late July against the Washington Nationals was followed up by a go-ahead home run that nearly cost the Dodgers the game if not for some walk-off heroics.
Nonetheless, Lux overall has made strides defensively and is someone the Dodgers have shown trust in.
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