Steve Webb
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commended pitcher Bobby Miller‘s performance following the team’s thrilling 6-5 comeback win against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Miller’s display, despite not having his best stuff, marked a significant step forward, demonstrating resilience and competitive edge.
“I thought he did a much better job competing tonight,” Roberts said. “He had an edge to him which I liked. It might not have been his best stuff, but I still felt the fastball played, and there were much better changeups tonight.”
Miller’s pivotal moment came in the fourth inning after giving up a two-strike home run to Christian Walker. He managed to reset and successfully navigate through the inning, which Roberts highlighted as crucial for Miller’s confidence. “He gave up a two-strike homer on a slider to Walker, who seems to always get us at some point. Then he reset, and I liked the way he was able to do that for the fifth inning to give us a little bit of length,” Roberts noted. “Certainly a step in the right direction for Bobby.”
Roberts also praised the Dodgers’ relentless approach at the plate, particularly in the clutch moments of the game. “All night long, we fought, took good at-bats, and didn’t relent,” he said. “Will [Smith] getting a hit with two outs, and then obviously Freddie [Freeman] coming up with two strikes against a guy who hasn’t really given up a run all year, shortened his swing and got a base hit. Then with Teo [Teoscar Hernandez], it’s like he doesn’t run from those spots. If there’s anybody you want up to bat, he’s right at the top of the list, and he made them pay.”
The Dodgers have developed a reputation for late-game rallies, a trend that Roberts acknowledged with a mix of pride and frustration. “It doesn’t help my quality of life waiting for the seventh inning to come alive with the bats, but better late than never,” he said. “Obviously, when the game is on the line, the focus gets a little more sharpened. Guys seem to take better at-bats, which is ironic because you’re facing specialists at the back end of the game.”
Despite the challenges, Roberts remains confident in his team’s ability to deliver when it matters most. “Regardless if we won that game or not, there was fight till the end,” he said.
Reflecting on Miller’s journey, Roberts emphasized the importance of mental resilience along with physical recovery. “The physical is something you can tangibly talk through, but the mental is something you just really don’t know. It takes being in big league games to build that trust,” Roberts explained. “Today was a big hurdle for him. It was all about competing, keeping the team in the ball game, and he did that.”
