Piñata of a bullpen may smash title hopes

Shortcomings were concealed in earlier rounds, but it’s time to pay the piper

- DYLAN HERNANDEZ COLUMNIST

RELIEVER Eduardo Henriquez walks toward the dugout after failing to record an out in Game 5.

(Eric Thayer Los Angeles Times)

Was Edgardo Henriquez the best option to pitch to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the seventh inning with two outs andrunners on the corners?

Maybe, maybe not.

And that was the problem.

The problem was that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn't have a choice that was clearly better than to place the game in the hands ofa hard-throwing but unreliable 23-year-old rookie.

Henriquez walked Guerrero on a99.9-mph fastball that sailed into the opposite batter’s box, evading the grasp of catcher Will Smith and allowing Addison Barger to score.

Amanageable two-run deficit was now three and about to become four.

The Dodgers were on their way to.a6-1loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night, the Game 5 result placing them ata three-games-to-two deficit in this World Series.