Buehler still searching for it in loss to Cubs

LOS ANGELES -- Walker Buehler's quest for a spot in the Dodgers’ playoff rotation remains in limbo after an old friend derailed his night early.

Cody Bellinger returned to Dodger Stadium on Monday and hit a two-run home run off Buehler four batters into the game. Another former Dodger, Michael Busch, added a home run among four hits and three RBIs as the Cubs found some offense to earn a 10-4 victory.

Buehler was charged with five runs on nine hits with a walk over five-plus innings. While it was Buehler’s longest outing in his five starts since returning from a hip injury last month, it was also the most runs and hits he has allowed in the stretch.

After Jack Flaherty, the Dodgers are looking for a viable No. 2 starter as October approaches, with another candidate set to step forward Tuesday when right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to return from the injured list.

Since Aug. 14, Buehler is 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA in five starts. He has 18 strikeouts in 22 innings, but has also allowed 11 walks with five home runs in that span.

Making the optics even worse is that the Cubs managed to score just two total runs during a three-game series against the New York Yankees this past weekend. The Cubs were shut out both Friday and Saturday before a 2-1 victory Sunday.

At this point, the Dodgers have three more turns through the rotation before the end of the regular season, with Clayton Kershaw (toe) and Tyler Glasnow (elbow) also trying to make their way back to the starting staff.

Buehler has been saying he feels more and more like himself after each start, but Monday’s outing failed to match his building confidence.