Interim Manager Danny Lehmann spoke to reporters on June 14, 2026, after the Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Chicago White Sox 6-4, attributing the loss to a sixth-inning collapse and ongoing bullpen control problems.
Lehmann identified walk rate as the bullpen's central issue, noting it has been a recurring concern over the past six weeks. "Out of the bullpen specifically, I think maybe some strike throwing, a few more walks that we're not used to over the last six weeks or so," he said during the press conference, adding that home runs allowed were a secondary factor. The starter, Shehan, was at approximately 72 pitches through five innings before the White Sox jumped on him in the sixth, according to Lehmann. "I think he was at like 72 pitches, threw five, throwing the ball really well — it just started falling behind a little bit and they got to a couple of feeders and it kind of spiraled from there," he noted, also acknowledging that the Dodgers had been hurt by the long ball in Pittsburgh as well as in this game.
Despite the loss, Lehmann expressed confidence in reliever Jack Driver following two recent difficult outings. "Jack's been such a good pitcher for us — his pedigree has been pretty good over the last two years and I think he'll be just fine," he stated. He also cited encouraging signs for Mookie, explaining that quality of contact has been trending upward over the last three to four games. "The quality of contact is way up for Mookie. Even some of his outs in this series were really good," Lehmann added, describing Mookie's path back as one of building swing consistency that will naturally lead to pulling more balls in the air.
Lehmann singled out Alex Freeland's at-bat against the White Sox closer as a highlight of the offensive effort. Freeland fouled off three or four two-strike fastballs before reaching base, a sequence Lehmann described as a mature performance under pressure. "It was a very mature at-bat just in general, you know, coming in there watching the inning — what happened before him," he explained. Lehmann also viewed the overall offensive day positively, pointing to strong at-bats from Freddy Selmer, Mookie, Rushing, and Ward late in the game.
Lehmann assessed the Chicago White Sox as a meaningfully improved club compared to the 2024 and 2025 seasons, praising their plate discipline and ability to make contact. "It's a different team this series than it was in 2025 and the year before that," he mentioned, a characterization that framed the bullpen's struggles in the context of a more competitive opponent.