Dodgers Interview: Gonsolin Reflects on Costly Walks in Loss to Mets
"“We’re just trying to go out there and do what we can and keep us in ball games."
QUEENS, NY — Tony Gonsolin had a simple diagnosis for what went wrong in Saturday’s 5–2 loss to the New York Mets: too many free passes.
The right-hander gave up four earned runs across five innings at Citi Field, with a pair of walks in the fourth inning helping fuel the Mets’ rally. After the game, Gonsolin didn’t shy away from taking accountability.
“Yeah, very upset with the walks,” he said. “It’s kind of the name of the game. Don’t walk those guys—potentially that inning looks a lot different. Just need to attack guys.”
The fourth inning proved to be the turning point. Gonsolin walked Pete Alonso and J.D. Martinez, both of whom came around to score during a three-run frame that erased the Dodgers’ early 1–0 lead. Gonsolin admitted his mindset wasn’t where it needed to be during that stretch.
“I think it’s mostly mentality-based, honestly,” he said. “Like that fourth inning felt like I was kind of dancing around the zone a little bit, not being aggressive. And then fifth inning just tried to be like, I’m going to attack these guys with everything. And it was a lot smoother, a lot cleaner. I executed pitches a lot better.”
One key moment came with the bases loaded and Juan Soto at the plate. Gonsolin tried to sequence a slider followed by a splitter to the Mets’ star, but Soto held off both times.
“Thought [I] executed slider really well there,” Gonsolin said. “He’s got a really good eye, barely missed, but I was pleased with the execution of it. And then yeah, just kind of [went to the] splitter. I thought it was a solid one, just elevated and didn’t miss it.”
Soto worked the count and drew a walk, forcing in a run and keeping the inning alive.
“Yeah, I mean I think that was the right pitch there,” Gonsolin said. “Trying to induce a swing and he didn’t swing. But yeah, he’s a good hitter. Bases loaded. So I gotta go right after him.”
The Dodgers’ rotation is under growing pressure as the bullpen continues to absorb a heavy workload. Even with Clayton Kershaw’s return, innings are at a premium, and every start carries a little more weight.
“Yeah, that long one yesterday didn’t go great for us,” Gonsolin acknowledged, referring to Friday night’s rain-shortened outing by Kershaw. “But luckily [we] pulled out the win yesterday and today I just tried to give everything I had and go as deep as I could. Unfortunately, I was only able to get five, but fortunately I was able to get five at the same time and Bobby [Miller] came up big.”
Gonsolin was lifted after five innings and 91 pitches. There was no discussion about sending him back out for the sixth, but he took pride in the way he finished his outing.
“Just again, I was very pleased with how I went out for the fifth after getting punched a little bit,” he said. “And just attacking guys.”
The Dodgers fell short in this one, but Gonsolin’s takeaway was clear: sharper execution and a more aggressive mindset from pitch one will be key as the team pushes through this taxing stretch.
“We’re just trying to go out there and do what we can and keep us in ball games so we can hit them,” he said.
The Dodgers will look to bounce back in the series finale Sunday behind rookie right-hander Landon Knack.
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