The Los Angeles Dodgers called upon J.P. Feyereisen to close out Monday’s extra inning game, with the veteran right-hander securing a 6-4 win over the San Francisco Giants.
In the top of the 10th inning, Dodgers catcher Will Smith drove in two runs with a one-out double to give them a two-run lead heading into the bottom half. Working around a bevy of injuries in the bullpen, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts opted for Feyereisen, who has looked as if he’s turned a corner.
The 31-year-old opened the frame with a strikeout of Giants infielder Brett Wisely, but followed up with a walk to outfielder Mike Yastrzemski. After landing strike one, Feyereisen induced a game-ending double play on a low slider to Thairo Estrada.
Since rejoining the Dodgers on May 1, Feyereisen hasn’t allowed an earned run in five appearances. He’s tallied five strikeouts, allowing two hits and two walks, going on a stretch that is acknowledged by the coaching staff, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
“There’s a difference between rehab mode and competing at this level,” Roberts said. “Since he’s been back, everything’s in the strike zone, everything’s thrown with conviction and we’ve had some good results.”
Feyereisen is still early in his on-field tenure with the Dodgers, and has responded well to his initial outings.
His inclusion into the bullpen is very necessary, as they’re dealing with injuries to Ryan Brasier, Brusdar Graterol, Joe Kelly and closer Evan Phillips. Blake Treinen has come along nicely, but is in the same spot as Feyereisen, having not pitched at the Major League level for over a year.
The Dodgers working a bullpen by committee is how they’ll have to manage, expecting to see Alex Vesia, Treinen, Daniel Hudson and Feyereisen continuing to get high leverage chances.
J.P. Feyereisen in his recent call-up
In his five May appearances, Feyereisen has 5.2 shutout innings, showing a solid knack for avoiding barrels.
His changeup has been his go-to pitch, with it grading out at a high clip. In this current stretch, he’s landed a first-pitch strike 85% of the time, with an 18.2% hard-hit rate.
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