Steve Webb
PHOENIX, AZ — When Walker Buehler is dealing, it is a thing to behold. Monday night in the desert, he put together perhaps the most complete pitching performance of his career (and that’s saying something). He mowed through the Diamondbacks lineup, surrendering only three harmless singles along the way to a 4-0 Dodger win. It was the first complete game shutout performance in what is already an impressive MLB career.
Offense stakes Buehler to early lead, then tacks on
Walker Buehler got all the runs he needed three batters into the game. Mookie Betts led off the top of the first with a walk, and a Freddie Freeman double on the next pitch put runners at second and third before the fans’ nachos even had a chance to cool. The baserunners weren’t bored for long, as Trea Turner delivered another big hit in the next AB, drilling a double down the left field line that would score a pair. And just like that, the Dodgers were up 2-0.
After that first inning, Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly settled in and pitched four scoreless innings. But in the top of the fifth, the Dodgers came to life again. Just as he had in the first, Mookie Betts started the second Dodger rally of the night, this time with a single to left. Betts promptly stole second, and a couple of batters later, scampered home on a Max Muncy double that split the outfielders in in right center.
Leading 3-0, the Dodgers would strike one last time in the top of the eighth, when Will Smith absolutely demolished a baseball out of the hand of reliever Tyler Gilbert. On a 3-1 count, the Fresh Prince walloped a cutter deep to left field, the ball landing deep within the sparsely populated Chase Field bleachers. The scoring was done for the night, but with Walker Buehler on the mound, it was more than enough.
Walker absolutely shoving tonight
But the night belonged to Walker Buehler. The righty faced little trouble and retired 16 of Arizona’s final 17 batters. He never let a runner get past second base, and he gave up only three hits. He set down 15 in a row before David Peralta’s two-out single in the ninth. After the brouhaha over the early hook on Clayton Kershaw in the first week of the season, Dave Roberts rolled the bones on Buehler and let him go out in the eighth and the ninth, even though he was approaching and then surpassing his pitch-count high for the year.
Buetane threw 108 pitches, 75 for strikes. He hadn’t gone more than 5 2/3 innings in any of his first three starts of the season, although he threw 98 pitches against the Reds on April 14. But this night was different. On this night, he was completely in command, striking out 10 Snake hitters on the night. Some of them, particularly Pavin Smith and Nick Ahmed, looked completely overmatched at the plate as if they were city-league softball players suddenly teleported into the game. The final line on Buehler’s night: 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 10 K. It was magnificant.
Gonsolin gets the ball next
Game 2 of this three-gamer features Tony Gonsolin, who somehow is leading Dodger starters in ERA at the moment at 0.69. Not sure it will be sustainable long-term, especially with his high WHIP, but for Tuesday anyway, his stuff should play against the scuffling D-backs. He will face off against Zach Davies, pitching for his fourth team in as many years. But don’t go to sleep on Davies — it was he and three Cubs relievers who no-hit the Dodgers last summer. Game time on Tuesday is 6:40 pm.
Cans of Corn…
- Freddie Freeman had another multi-hit game tonight, and is now hitting a team-best .328
- After being named NL Player of the Week, Cody Bellinger went 0-for-4 tonight.
- Gavin Lux beat out an infield hit and continues to impress with his speed.
- After appearing in Sunday’s game in San Diego, Zach McKinstry is headed back to OKC.
- Pitcher Andre Jackson will be joining the club and taking McKinstry’s roster spot.
- Darien Nunez will undergo Tommy John surgery. He was DFA’ed on Sunday and then released on Monday. Good luck on the long road back, Darien.
- The Dodgers starters continue to be just dealing filth this season, they currently sit high atop the ERA leaderboard, with a ridiculous 2.09 ERA over these first 15 games.
