Dodgers Salvage Split with D-Backs, But Rotation Takes Another Hit
Tony Gonsolin pitched five scoreless innings and Freddie Freeman went 4-for-4 with a home run to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 8-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. The victory gave L.A. a four-game series split and, with San Diego’s 9-3 loss to Colorado, helped the Dodgers regain a one-game lead atop the National League West.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
Tony Gonsolin pitched five scoreless innings and Freddie Freeman went 4-for-4 with a home run to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 8-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. The victory gave L.A. a four-game series split and, with San Diego’s 9-3 loss to Colorado, helped the Dodgers regain a one-game lead atop the National League West.
Mookie Betts also homered as the Dodgers racked up 18 hits, giving fans a glimpse of the offensive firepower they hope will carry the team through a stretch marked by injuries.
Gonsolin Steady in Return from Surgery
Gonsolin (2-0), in just his third start since returning from Tommy John surgery, looked sharp. The right-hander threw 84 pitches, walked two, struck out four, and lowered his ERA to 2.81. With Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow both sidelined, his return has been a key boost to the rotation.
Another Arm Lost: Sasaki on IL
Just as one starter returned, another went down. Prized rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right shoulder impingement. The move is a blow to a Dodgers pitching staff already stretched thin.
“Physically, he was a little bit sore afterwards [his last start],” said manager Dave Roberts (via Los Angeles Times). “And that’s something that we’re still kind of trying to figure out—what’s normal, what’s not normal.”
Sasaki, 23, has seen a concerning drop in velocity on his once-electric fastball. In his MLB debut, his heater averaged 98.1 mph. In his most recent outing, also against the Diamondbacks, it dipped to 94.8 mph and never topped 97.1. He’s even been clocked as low as 92 mph—an alarming trend for such a young arm.
Right-hander J.P. Feyereisen was called up to fill the roster spot, but it will be veteran Clayton Kershaw who is expected to rejoin the rotation this Saturday, effectively stepping in for Sasaki.
