Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone delivered another impressive performance on Sunday, leading his team to a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Stone allowed only one run, a home run to his former minor league teammate Jonny DeLuca, but otherwise dominated on the mound. Reflecting on his outing, Stone credited his pitch selection and catcher Hunter Feduccia‘s game-calling for his success. “Just mixing off-speed and fastball, finding the right times for certain pitches,” Stone explained. “Feddy did a good job calling the game. I’ve gotten to throw to him a lot in the minors, so for him to come up here and share that moment with him was awesome.”
Stone and Feduccia share a strong bond from their time together in the Dodgers’ minor league system, and Stone acknowledged how special it was to continue their partnership in the majors. “He’s one of my best friends in this organization and has been for a while,” Stone said. “Just to be a part of his special day is pretty cool.” Their familiarity and trust clearly played a role in Stone’s effective pitching.
When asked about his maturity and ability to rebound after giving up the home run to DeLuca, Stone demonstrated his composure. “He put a good swing on it,” Stone remarked. “I just threw it over the plate, and he put a good swing on it—that’s it. But after you give up a home run like that, you just got to refocus and get back in the zone.” His ability to quickly regain his focus and continue executing pitches was evident as he shut down the Rays for the remainder of his outing.
Stone’s recent performances have been a marked improvement, showing growth and adaptation throughout the season. After a rocky start to August, Stone has allowed just two earned runs in his last three outings, and his ERA for the month ends at 3.25. “I think that’s just credit to Mark and the guys that we have around,” Stone said, acknowledging the support and guidance from the coaching staff. With his mechanics back in line and a renewed sense of confidence, Stone has become a reliable presence on the mound, providing the Dodgers with solid outings and a chance to win every time he takes the ball.
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