Steve Webb
MILWAUKEE, WI — Throughout the first month of the season, the bullpen of the Dodgers has been almost universally underperforming. What once was an asset for the team turned into a liability as usually reliable pieces like Alex Vesia and Yency Almonte struggled to get on track. Evan steady Evan Phillips got blown up a time or two. So, when Noah Syndergaar, the Dodgers’ starter on Tuesday, had to exit the game with a bleeding finger blister after just one inning of work, the prognosis was pretty bleak that the pen could hold the hot Brewers in check for eight long innings.
But they did just that. Except for a couple of late solo homers late in the game, the bullpen completely shut down the Milwaukee offense. First it was Phil Bickford. Then Justin Bruihl, then Yency Almonte, Victor Gonzalez, and Shelby Miller. Finally, Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips closed it out. And but for the dingers surrendered by Miller, the relievers were rock solid all day long. Hopefully, this can be the sign of better days ahead.
Luckily, the Dodgers’ bats struck quickly, and gave the pitchers some breathing room throughout the game. Mookie Betts led off the game with the 39th lead off homer of his career to put the Dodgers up quickly. Will Smith plated Freddie Freeman on a sac fly a couple of minutes later, and before Syndergaard even took the mound the Dodgers were up 2-0. Miguel Rojas delivered and RBI knock in the top of the second, and Will Smith followed with a solo homer in the next inning.
Staked to a 4-0 lead, the Dodger pitchers didn’t have to get cute on the mound. They just needed to throw strikes and get outs. And, when Miguel Vargas went yard with a two-run bomb in the 6th, the score became 6-0 and the two dingers surrendered by Miller barely mattered.
“It doesn’t really affect me pain-wise,” Syndergaard said of his day-ending injury. “I just think my finger catches a seam or the opposing thumbnail might be causing an issue. Not quite sure. I warmed up fine in the bullpen, then went to use the restroom before the game and looked down, and my hand was bleeding pretty good. Tried to do what we could to make it serviceable.”
As for the staff going forward, obviously, there might need to be call made to OKC before Thor’s next start this weekend. And who knows after that.
“They did a great job, every one of them” catcher Will Smith said of the Dodgers’ pen. “Had the two solo homers, that happens. But even Shelby threw really well, other than those two swings. All those guys came out.
“We didn’t know it was going to be a bullpen game, but they adapted. Phil was huge in those first two innings. They saved the game for us.”
It’s going to be a challenge to navigate the next couple of days given the fact that basically EVERYBODY hand to pitch on Tuesday. Only Wander Suero didn’t see action. However, the pen came up big in this one. Good on them. One more game, and then back to the Ravine.
Cans of Corn…
- The final line for the bullpen in this game: 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K.
- If Thor goes on the IL, Gavin Stone would be the likely call-up, with both Ryan Pepiot and Michael Grove still banged up.
- Great to see both Miguels get big hits in this one.
- Will Smith is quietly having a great season.
- Final game of the road trip is on Wednesday morning LA time, Clayton Kershaw and Wade Miley pitch in a 10:40 am matinee.
