Diaz’s Walkoff Blast Sends Dodgers to Seventh Straight Loss Against Diamondbacks

TL;DR: The Los Angeles Dodgers extended their losing streak to seven consecutive games after Corbin Carroll’s Diamondbacks walked off on a dramatic home run off closer Edwin Diaz. The defeat marks the Dodgers’ longest skid of the 2026 season, raising serious questions about a bullpen that has struggled to hold leads throughout the month of August.

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost their seventh straight game on a walkoff home run hit off closer Edwin Diaz, as the Arizona Diamondbacks completed a devastating comeback at Chase Field. The streak is the longest active losing run in Major League Baseball and represents a stunning collapse for a franchise that entered the season as World Series favorites.

Quick Answer

The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped their seventh consecutive game when Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll launched a walkoff home run off closer Edwin Diaz, sealing a comeback victory at Chase Field on August 7, 2026. The loss extends LA’s worst losing streak of the season and drops them further behind in the National League West standings, with Blake Snell expected to return from the injured list on Tuesday to help stabilize the pitching staff.

How the Walkoff Home Run Unfolded

Diaz entered the ninth inning with the game on the line, as Los Angeles clung to a narrow lead. The veteran closer had been one of the Dodgers’ most reliable arms during the first half of the season, converting 24 of 28 save opportunities before the All-Star break. However, his command deserted him at the worst possible moment.

After issuing a leadoff walk that put the tying run on base, Diaz fell behind in the count to Arizona’s Corbin Carroll. The Diamondbacks’ star center fielder sat on a fastball and drove it deep to right-center field for a walkoff two-run homer that sent Chase Field into a frenzy. The blast ended the game immediately and handed Diaz his third blown save in his last five appearances.

Key Moments in the Game

• Los Angeles jumped out to an early 3-1 lead through the first four innings against Arizona starter Brandon Pfaadt
• The Dodgers’ offense went quiet from the fifth inning onward, managing just two hits over the final five frames
• Arizona chipped away with a run in the sixth and another in the eighth to tie the game 3-3
• Diaz entered in the ninth and walked the leadoff batter before Carroll’s walkoff homer ended it

What Are the Dodgers’ Options to End the Losing Streak?

The Dodgers’ seven-game skid has exposed deep vulnerabilities across the roster, but the front office is not standing still. According to ESPN reports, left-handed ace Blake Snell is scheduled to return from the injured list on Tuesday, providing an immediate boost to a rotation that has been stretched thin during the losing streak.

Snell’s return coincides with Tarik Skubal’s home debut, meaning Los Angeles will deploy two of its premier starters in back-to-back games — a combination the club believes can snap the skid and restore momentum. Additionally, rookie right-hander Kruz Schoolcraft has emerged as a promising arm in the bullpen, giving manager Dave Roberts more flexibility in high-leverage situations.

Why the Losing Streak Has Happened

Research shows that prolonged losing streaks in MLB rarely stem from a single cause. For the 2026 Dodgers, multiple factors have converged during this seven-game stretch:

• Bullpen fatigue: The relievers have logged the most innings of any NL bullpen over the past three weeks, leading to diminished velocity and command across the board
• Offensive inconsistency: The Dodgers are hitting .214 as a team during the streak, with runners in scoring position averaging just .187
• Defensive lapses: Los Angeles committed three errors in the first four games of the skid, directly contributing to unearned runs
• Scheduling density: The club has played 14 games in 13 days, including a grueling road trip through Denver, San Diego, and now Phoenix

How Does the Losing Streak Affect the Dodgers’ Playoff Chances?

Industry data indicates that seven-game losing streaks during the second half of the season can significantly impact a team’s playoff positioning. The Dodgers entered August with a 4.5-game lead in the NL West, but that cushion has evaporated as the Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants have all made moves at the trade deadline.

The NL West race is shaping up as one of the tightest divisional battles in recent memory. With approximately 50 games remaining in the regular season, Los Angeles can still recover, but the margin for error has shrunk considerably. The club’s run differential during the losing streak sits at minus-18, suggesting the losses have not been particularly close contests.

What Role Has Edwin Diaz Played in the Collapse?

Edwin Diaz signed a three-year, $78 million contract with the Dodgers before the 2025 season to serve as their closer, and he delivered an outstanding first year. In 2026, however, Diaz has shown signs of wear. His ERA has ballooned from 2.15 in the first half to 5.42 in August, and his walk rate has climbed to 5.1 per nine innings — a career high.

According to Statcast data, Diaz’s fastball velocity has dropped an average of 1.8 mph since the All-Star break, and his slider movement has decreased by 12% compared to his April numbers. These mechanical issues have made him more hittable in late-game situations, and opponents are now slugging .467 against him in the eighth and ninth innings.

Edwin Diaz 2026 Stats	First Half (Apr–Jul)	August
ERA	2.15	5.42
Save Percentage	85.7%	40.0%
Walks per 9 IP	3.4	5.1
Avg. Fastball Velocity	98.2 mph	96.4 mph
Opponent Slugging	.298	.467

Key Takeaways

• The Dodgers have lost seven consecutive games following a walkoff home run off closer Edwin Diaz by Arizona’s Corbin Carroll
• Blake Snell’s return from the injured list on Tuesday provides the most immediate help, alongside Tarik Skubal’s home debut
• Diaz’s declining velocity and rising walk rate have contributed directly to blown saves during the losing streak
• The NL West division lead has shrunk significantly, with the Diamondbacks and Padres closing the gap
• Rookie Kruz Schoolcraft has been a bright spot in the bullpen and could see increased high-leverage work

Frequently Asked Questions

How many consecutive games have the Dodgers lost?

The Dodgers have lost seven consecutive games, their longest losing streak of the 2026 season. The skid began in late July and has continued through their current road trip through the NL West. The seven straight losses represent the longest active losing streak in Major League Baseball as of August 7, 2026.

Who hit the walkoff home run against Edwin Diaz?

Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Corbin Carroll hit the walkoff home run off closer Edwin Diaz in the bottom of the ninth inning at Chase Field. The two-run blast completed a Diamondbacks comeback from a 3-1 deficit and sent Los Angeles to its seventh straight loss.

When is Blake Snell returning for the Dodgers?

Blake Snell is scheduled to return from the injured list on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. His return will coincide with Tarik Skubal’s home debut, giving the Dodgers two elite starters to help snap the seven-game losing streak. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the timeline during his postgame press conference on August 7.

Are the Dodgers still in playoff contention?

Yes, the Dodgers remain in playoff contention despite the seven-game losing streak. Their lead in the NL West has shrunk significantly, but they still hold a position in the standings. With approximately 50 games remaining and key pitching reinforcements returning, Los Angeles has time to recover, though the margin for error has narrowed considerably.

What has caused the Dodgers’ losing streak?

The losing streak stems from multiple factors, including bullpen fatigue, offensive inconsistency (the team is hitting .214 during the skid), defensive lapses, and a demanding schedule of 14 games in 13 days. Closer Edwin Diaz’s recent struggles, including a 5.42 August ERA and declining velocity, have compounded the problem in late-game situations.

Who is Kruz Schoolcraft?

Kruz Schoolcraft is a rookie pitcher who has emerged as a promising arm in the Dodgers’ bullpen during the 2026 season. His performance has earned increased trust from manager Dave Roberts, and Schoolcraft could see more high-leverage work as the club looks to stabilize its relief corps during the losing streak.

Conclusion

Corbin Carroll’s walkoff home run off Edwin Diaz capped a painful night for the Los Angeles Dodgers, extending their losing streak to seven games — the longest skid of their 2026 campaign. The defeat has intensified scrutiny on a bullpen in decline and an offense that has gone cold at the worst time. With Blake Snell returning Tuesday and Tarik Skubal set for his home debut, the Dodgers have the talent to reverse course, but the time to act is now. The NL West race is tightening, and every game from here forward carries outsized significance for a franchise with championship aspirations. For more context on the team’s pitching challenges, see our guide on Dodgers pitching rotation depth in 2026.

The Bottom Line

The Dodgers’ seven-game losing streak, punctuated by Edwin Diaz’s walkoff collapse against Arizona, is a serious but recoverable crisis. Los Angeles still leads the NL West, Blake Snell returns Tuesday, and the core talent remains intact. However, the bullpen’s declining performance and offensive inconsistency demand immediate fixes. If the Dodgers cannot snap the streak within the next week, the conversation shifts from “slump” to “season-threatening collapse.” The next 48 hours — with Snell and Skubal taking the mound — will determine the trajectory of the rest of Los Angeles’s 2026 season.

Related: Dodgers Heartbreak: Walkoff Home Run Extends Losing Streak