Tony Gonsolin nearly suffered his first loss of the season, but the Los Angeles Dodgers stringing together a late rally against the Atlanta Braves resulted in a no-decision for the right-hander.
With that, Gonsolin remained 9-0 this year but did lower his ERA to an MLB-best 1.58. According to STATS LLC, Gonsolin is the first pitcher in MLB history to enter the month of July with at least a 9-0 record and ERA under 1.60 since it became an official stat in both leagues in 1913.
Gonsolin wasn’t dominant for a second consecutive outing but again excelled with runners on base. Gonsolin stranded baserunners in the third, fourth and fifth innings to do his part in keeping Sunday’s game scoreless.
He nearly managed to work around a Travis d’Arnaud leadoff double in the bottom of the sixth, but surrendered a two-out RBI single to Marcell Ozuna. Prior to that, Gonsolin had held opponents to 0-for-their-last 34 with runners in scoring position.
Gonsolin attempted to convince Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to remain in the game, but he was removed at a season-high 94 pitches. It marked the first time this season Gonsolin exited a start with the Dodgers trailing.
His 2022 performance thus far has been nothing short of impressive, if not imperative for the Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw spent time on the 10-day injured list, Andrew Heaney is out again due to a second left shoulder strain, and Walker Buehler won’t return until later in the year.
Gonsolin began the season providing short outings that were in tandem with Tyler Anderson as a piggyback. Gonsolin then hit his stride and set a career high with six consecutive outings of at least six innings pitched.
He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in all 14 starts this season, and five of those have been scoreless outings.
Gonsolin hopeful to make 2022 MLB All-Star Game
Heading into the season, Gonsolin revealed one personal goal of his was to make the 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium. He figures to be well on his way to earning that honor for the first time in his career.
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