extra inning

The extra inning made a difference.

When his team is behind, he could have to ask his starter to pitch an extra inning or two so that he could save his high-leverage relievers for games in which they are ahead.

First, Roberts’ decision to try and get an extra inning out of pitcher Bobby Miller — who gave up five runs in 6⅓ innings in his first start since early April, having missed more than two months with a shoulder injury — backfired.

San Diego became the first team to lose 11 successive extra inning contests since Tampa Bay also dropped 11 in a row in 2015.

The Dodgers do have an opening in their rotation for Sunday’s road trip finale in Boston, but Roberts said it’s unlikely that Kershaw, who threw an extra inning in the bullpen at the start of the rain delay, would start on only three days’ rest.