Dodgers Interview: Dodgers Rookie Ben Casparius Reflects on Tough Outing
"I think overall just not sharp."
ST. LOUIS — Ben Casparius wasn’t making excuses after a couple of poor defensive plays cost the Dodgers dearly in their loss to the Cardinals. “Those throws to first base are crucial and can’t really happen,” he said after the game, “but just leaving off speed up in the zone (was the problem).”
True enough. Even though the defensive lapses were costly, the Cards seemed to be measuring up Ben’s pitches pretty well in both inning. “I thought they had a pretty good approach,” he said, “but I think overall just not sharp.”
When it finally came time for Nolan Arenado to enter the game off the bench to pinch hit in the bottom of the ninth, things were already spiraling out of control. “(I) kind of left the slider up in the zone for Nolan. He had already seen two of them so it was a good swing and yeah I just didn’t really have it today.”
There will be better moments for Casparius this year and going forward in his career. As for Saturday, calling it part of the learning curve in the Big Leagues.
Casparius also revealed he was hit on the wrist during the play at the plate that allowed the winning run to score. “I thought I had a shot there,” he said. “Didn’t make a great throw, and then Freddy had a really good effort at home. Ultimately, should have held on to the ball. It got me in the wrist.”
While it was a frustrating end for Casparius, his accountability was clear, and the Dodgers remain confident in the young arm’s development. Nights like these are part of the growing pains for any rookie, especially one cutting his teeth in the heat of a playoff chase.
The loss dropped the Dodgers to 38-27, but with a long season ahead and the bullpen in need of depth, Casparius is likely to get more opportunities—and lessons—as the summer rolls on.
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