The Los Angeles Dodgers enter play Wednesday night against the New York Mets on a five-game winning streak and 11-1 in their past 12 games. The lone blemish is at the hands of the Cleveland Indians and in a Rich Hill start.
He was roughed up early by the Indians, putting the Dodgers in a 5-0 deficit through two innings. Hill managed to throw scoreless third and fourth innings, but started the fifth and was ultimately charged for seven runs in four-plus innings.
The outing was another in what’s been a disappointing season thus far for the veteran southpaw. Hill would be the first to admit he’s yet to meet the expectations that came with signing a three-year, $48 million contract during the winter.
And with that, has come the challenge of not allowing frustration to consume him, Hill explained to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Hill said he is “absolutely trying not to be frustrated” and the team’s success makes it easier. Still, he can’t help but feel he has yet to do his part for that success.
“It’s awesome to see the team doing well,” he said. “We’ve gone 10-1. But I look at that and see that one loss and think, ‘That was me’ (laughs). … You don’t want to walk around with such a poopy diaper all the time. Be optimistic. I’ve caught myself a couple times this year.”
Hill has often pointed to a lack of repeating his delivery as the primary culprit to struggling. He’s twice been interrupted by a recurring blister on the middle finger of his left hand that’s required two stints on the disabled list.
Hill hasn’t reached the sixth inning in any of his eight starts this season, and he’s failed to record an out in the fifth inning in four outings. On the season he’s 3-3 with a 5.14 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. Hill will have an opportunity to get back on track Wednesday night as the Dodgers look to clinch a series win over the Mets.
