Sloppy fifth inning spells doom for Astros against Dodgers

Coming into Tuesday's game against Los Angeles, everyone and their mother knew it would be an emotional game for both sides. The Dodgers' first game in Houston since 2017, and their first game since the cheating scandal broke out, was bound to feature flared tempers.

That sentiment couldn't be understated enough, as somehow, the Dodgers' 5-2 victory over the Astros was a less important headline on the night.

It was a pitcher's duel to start the night -- Framber Valdez and Dodgers' pitcher Walker Buehler mowed down their opposing lineups, with the only run scored in the first three innings coming off of a Carlos Correa solo home run into the Crawford boxes.

The Astros would score again in the bottom of the fourth, on a Carlos Correa single that would score Michael Brantley. Unfortunately, that would be all for the Astros in terms of scoring on the night.

The Dodgers would score their only runs in the fifth, but they would make them count. Corey Seager, AJ Pollock and Enrique Hernandez would all single to start the inning, loading the bases with no outs. Valdez would get Will Smith to line out for the first out of the inning, but Dusty Baker would call Valdez's night there and pull him, leaving three men responsible on base.

In cam Enoli Paredes, who made his major league debut on opening night less than five days ago,. His first at bat would be to Mookie Betts, who he would walk on four pitches to force home a run for the Dodgers.

Things really started to unravel after Betts' at bat. Paredes got a ground ball to third baseman Alex Bregman, who took a risk by electing to get the out at home rather than get the easy force-out at second base. That risk would backfire, as catcher Martín Maldonado would drop a less-than-stellar toss from Bregman, scoring the Dodgers a run without earning a single out.

It didn't get better from there -- two softly hit ground balls that snuck past the infield would score L.A. two more runs, courtesy of Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger. Enoli Paredes would be pulled there, ending his night with a line of two hits, one walk, and two runs allowed without earning a single out. Valdez's line would finish with four hits, one walk, two strikeouts, and two earned runs across four and a third innings.

The sixth inning was when months of turmoil and emotions reared its ugly head. Joe Kelly came on to relieve Brusdar Graterol, and got a quick José Altuve pop out to start the inning. His next at bat would feature a four-pitch walk to Alex Bregman, with the fourth pitch being a fastball that flew behind Bregman's head.

After getting Michael Brantley reach on a ground ball that forced Bregman out at second -- which featured a bit of gamesmanship with Kelly covering the bag, which prompted manager Dusty Baker to yell "Get on the mound little f***er" -- Kelly would walk Gurriel on four pitches. Carlos Correa would come up to bat next, and after another questionable pitch allowed Brantley and Gurriel to reach second and third respectively, Correa would strike out to end the at bat and the inning.

As Kelly walked off the mound, he mouthed something to Correa. Baker explained at the end of the game that he said "Nice swing, b***h." The exchange got heated, drawing the Astros from their dugout and the Dodgers from theres. A few more unpleasantries were exchanged, but no ejections were issued. A warning, however, was given to the Astros.

Rookie relievers Andre Scrubb (who was acquired from the Dodgers last year) and Nivaldo Rodriguez would pitch scoreless innings the rest of the way, but the Astros would be unable to scratch any runs for the remainder of the game. Kenley Jansen would earn the save in the bottom of the ninth inning without much drama. Brusdar Graterol would earn the win on the night, while Valdez would be saddled with the loss.