The LA Dodgers faced a humiliating history for the first time in 26 years. And this history of humiliation also involves the 'Korean Express' Park Chan-ho.
On the 5th (Korea time), the Dodgers suffered a heavy defeat of 1-18 against the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
From the start, signs of a troubling game were visible. Starter Ben Caspariou allowed a lead-off home run to Isaac Paredes in the top of the first inning. After allowing a double to José Altuve, the Dodgers fell to a 0-2 deficit as they gave up a timely hit to Christian Walker with two outs and runners on second and third.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Dodgers made up 1 run with a solo home run from Will Smith. However, in the top of the third, after giving up a double to Jake Meyers, they allowed a two-run home run to José Altuve, extending the gap to 1-4. They then allowed another double to Cam Smith followed by another two-run home run to Christian Walker, widening the gap to 1-6. In the top of the fifth, with two outs and runners on first and second, the Dodgers gave up a timely hit to Cooper Hummel, making it 1-7.
The momentum had already shifted, and in the sixth inning, they suffered a barrage of hits. They gave up a walk to Isaac Paredes, a single to Jake Meyers, and another walk to José Altuve, setting the stage for a bases-loaded situation with no outs. Then, Cam Smith hit a timely hit, followed by a hit-by-pitch that pushed in a run by Christian Walker, making it 1-9. Finally, they gave up a grand slam to Victor Caratini, resulting in a score of 1-13.
The Dodgers had no way to stop Houston's batting lineup. They allowed a walk to Cooper Hummel and an infield single to Mauricio Dubón, and with two outs and runners on first and second, they surrendered a timely hit to Jake Meyers, followed by a three-run home run to José Altuve, extending the deficit to 1-17. They surrendered 10 runs in the sixth inning alone and allowed another run in the top of the seventh, leading to a 17-point loss. The Dodgers' pitching record for the day was devastating. No pitcher escaped without allowing runs. Starter Ben Caspariou struggled through 3 innings, giving up 9 hits (3 home runs), striking out 3, and allowing 6 earned runs. Jack Dryer pitched 1⅔ innings, allowing 2 hits, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts, and 1 run. Notably, Noah Davis crumbled, pitching 1⅓ innings, allowing 6 hits (2 home runs), 3 walks, 3 strikeouts, and 10 runs.
This was a humiliating loss in the entire history of the Dodgers franchise. The 17-point loss was the third-largest margin of defeat in Dodgers history and the largest margin of defeat at Dodger Stadium since the team's transfer to Los Angeles.
Moreover, allowing 10 runs in the sixth inning marked the first time in 26 years since April 24, 1999, when they gave up 11 runs in the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals. That day, the starting pitcher was the 'Korean Express' Park Chan-ho, who was at the center of this humiliating history. Park Chan-ho is the father of Fernando Tatis Jr., who currently plays for the San Diego Padres, and he allowed two grand slams in one inning to Fernando Tatis. It was the day the term 'Hanmandu' (two grand slams in one inning) was born.
In the third inning, they found themselves in a bases-loaded situation after giving up a single to Darren Bragg, a hit-by-pitch to Edgar Renteria, and another single to Mark McGwire, leading to their first grand slam from Fernando Tatis.
Afterward, they allowed a solo home run to Eli Marrero and issued back-to-back walks to Polanco and Joe McEwing, managing to put José Jimenez on base through a fielder's choice. They allowed Darren Bragg on base due to an error, leading to more runs, and gave up another timely hit to Edgar Renteria. The bases-loaded situation continued, and Mark McGwire popped out to the right fielder for the second out. However, they once again allowed another grand slam to Fernando Tatis Jr., becoming the victim of the 'Hanmandu' record. Park Chan-ho's final line was 2⅔ innings, giving up 8 hits (3 home runs), 3 walks, 2 strikeouts, and allowing 11 runs (6 earned runs).
On that day, the Dodgers had to bow their heads, summoning the humiliating 'Hanmandu' record of Park Chan-ho. Manager Dave Roberts expressed his frustration, saying, "This was a game I wanted to forget as quickly as possible. There were almost no positive aspects from today's game."
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