On Friday, if you thought that Shohei Ohtani’s home run would pull a win for the LA Dodgers, you would be correct. The victory… It was so predictable. Especially after they started by scoring eight runs in the first three innings. But the game in Phoenix saw wild momentum swings for both the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. With Ohtani leading, so many wrongs were made right. In the “Really great game,” Ohtani blasted a go-ahead three-run homer in a stunning six-run ninth inning, his 12th home run of the season, to add to LA’s final six in that same span. Andy Pages and Enrique J. Hernández also had big hits for the Boys in Blue. But there were also a handful of disappointments to the 14-11 LA win at Chase Field and the Dodgers loyalists are not a fan of them.

For starters, Roki Sasaki, who was pitched as “a work in progress” this offseason before entering LA, couldn’t get through five innings and did not strike out any of the 20 batters he faced. In fact, he gave up two home runs in the first inning– Ketel Marte’s solo and a two-run homer by Eugenio Suarez. Then, he found control in the second and the third inning but gave up a double, hit a batter, and a walk, and then again in the fifth with a missed call by home plate umpire Jeremie Rehak. He left with an 8-4 lead, only for Anthony Banda to set an unwelcome fire.

He gave up a single and a walk, resulting in Lourdes Gurriel Jr. launching a 1-and-0 slider 401 feet into the left field seats to tie the score. If all that wasn’t enough, Lourdes had a grand slam on Banda, the latter’s second in the last six appearances. LA trailed by the sixth inning. Alex Vesia too gave up back-to-back home runs. On the other hand, the D-backs responded with vengeance, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. with his grand slam. And although LA came out winners with Ohtani’s highlight, there was another incident that became the spotlight of the away game. After Banda gave up a single and walked another two to load bases again, pitcher Luis Garcia entered for the Dodgers. Nine pitches later against Gurriel Jr., came the controversial call.

Satisfied that his sweeper had caught the top of the strike zone and struck Suarez out, Garcia headed out for the dugout. And for most still, the sweeper did work. But for Rehak, it didn’t. The home plate umpire called it a ball four and forced a run. As a result, the Diamondbacks took the lead. And that’s when Dodgers’ pitching coach Mark Prior had enough. Getting into an argument with Rehak, the umpire ejected him out of the game between the innings. All Dodgers manager Dave Roberts could then say was, “There was some pitches that swung counts, and certainly that Luis García at-bat to Suárez, … that changed that inning, the scoreboard.”

Roberts acknowledged the game’s intensity, stating, “It gets emotional, always… You can’t argue balls and strikes.” Prior’s ejection clearly signaled the Dodgers’ growing frustration with the officiating on a tense night and there pitching.

After eight innings, Roberts showed his disappointment saying, “I wasn’t (happy). I just felt that the offense did enough to win the game at that point in time, and to not pitch well – it’s frustrating. … I just feel that we’re better than we’ve pitched, and fortunately, our offense picked us up.” But of course, the Dodgers found their momentum and ended the night with a win in their books. But in a high-voltage match, it’s very natural that the scrutiny shifts towards every performance that could change the outcome.

The spotlight was anything but gentle on relief pitcher Banda and his disastrous performance. He came in the fifth inning, tasked with protecting a lead. Instead, Banda pitched only 1.2 innings, allowing three hits and four earned runs. He also issued three walks. This disastrous outing caused Banda’s season ERA to balloon to 4.82. His struggles were a major turning point, fueling the bullpen’s tough evening. And all this drama could not hold back fans from reacting how they do – the typical MLB way…

Mounting frustration calls for pitching overhaul

These turbulent events—Banda’s meltdown and Prior’s ejection—didn’t just stay on the field. They quickly overflowed into the Dodgers’ passionate fan base. A lot of the discussion voiced frustration, particularly aimed at the struggling reliever. One sentiment, blunt and direct, captured the frustration many felt after Anthony Banda’s pivotal inning.

A fan simply stated, “Nah Banda just sucks.” This harsh assessment followed Banda’s performance against the Diamondbacks. He surrendered a game-tying grand slam. In just 1.2 innings, he allowed four earned runs on three hits and three walks. That disastrous outing caused his season ERA to skyrocket, a number that clearly angers fans.

This wasn’t just a momentary outburst from one supporter; a broader exasperation was evident. Another fan expressed a weariness that many shared, commenting, “I’m fed up with Banda.” This sentiment stems from a pattern of shaky performances in 2025. Beyond the May 9th debacle, Banda’s season includes a concerning 5.79 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP). This FIP suggests his 4.82 ERA might actually be fortunate. His low strikeout rate (6.27 K/9) and high home run rate (1.93 HR/9) further trouble fans. This followed a late April game where he also gave up a grand slam, making patience wear thin.

Some fans tried to contextualize the loss while also critiquing other players, including highly touted rookie Roki Sasaki. One comment offered a mixed view: “We win some we lose some. Sasaki was way over hyped. Banda is an average middle reliever.” Sasaki’s May 9th start was indeed rough; he allowed five earned runs in four innings with zero strikeouts. His season ERA sits at 4.72 with an alarming 6.17 FIP. So, probably an expected reaction from fans!

With the bullpen showing cracks, many supporters started looking for familiar solutions to bring stability. The desire for a proven arm was clear in one popular suggestion: “Bring Joe Kelly back.” Veteran reliever Joe Kelly, currently a free agent, has a strong track record with the Dodgers. He is known for his high-velocity fastball and experience in crucial moments. Career numbers like a 3.87 FIP and solid 2025 projections (FIP around 3.30) make him an appealing option.

Ultimately, the most severe calls were for decisive action regarding Anthony Banda’s roster spot. Echoing a sentiment for immediate change, a fan declared, “Banda needs dfa.” This demand for Banda to be designated for assignment aligns with the Dodgers’ known history. The organization often makes tough calls on underperforming players. Examples include non-tendering former MVP Cody Bellinger and demoting Bobby Miller earlier in 2025. Now, should they go ahead and do the same with Banda?