re: The passed ball in the 6th was the difference.

Simple. The closer opened the flood gates. It was tied 1-1, top of the 8th. 9-1 at the bottom. There were a lot of other little things but there’s no getting away from that. The bull pen blew it again. Last year the bullpen was the strength, this year the exact opposite……so far. Little has given up 7 runs in two innings….as a closer. No future in that.