After suffering a tough loss in the series opener, the Los Angeles Dodgers were able to bounce back to earn an 11-4 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.
Things did not get off to a good start for the Dodgers as they trailed 4-0 early when left-handed batters Jay Bruce and Michael Conforto both hit two-run home runs off Rich Hill. It marked a fifth start in the past six in which he surrendered at least one homer.
Additionally, the last three home runs Hill has now given up have each come when he’s dropped down to deliver a pitch sidearm. He’s previously utilized the strategy to better success.
Following the Dodgers’ comeback win, Hill explained where he needs to improve when diverting from his typical delivery, as seen on SportsNet LA:
Hill: “I felt like it came out well. Just got to figure out some of those dropdown sliders. … I think [the deception] is (still there). I just think it’s the execution part of it. The one Bruce hit out kind of hung there, and the other one just didn’t really finish either. Just a matter of finishing the pitches. That’s really it.”
Hill was able to settle in after allowing the two home runs, getting through six innings while allowing seven hits and four runs, striking out eight and walking one.
Hill has been throwing the ball extremely well as of late, and the victory improved his record to 7-5 to go along with a 3.73 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. He has an impressive 121 strikeouts compared to just 37 walks in 108.2 total innings.
He will look to continue pitching at a high level in the last month of the season, and if the Dodgers make the postseason, he looks to be a lock to make their rotation for the third straight year.
