After being limited to just five games in 2022 and missing all of last season because of right shoulder surgery, Blake Treinen recorded the final six outs to put the Los Angeles Dodgers back in the World Series.
The capped off a planned third bullpen game of the postseason as the Dodgers looked to close out the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series and avoid a winner-take-all scenario at Dodger Stadium.
Manager Dave Roberts indicated the team’s strategy would mirror that of Game 2 against the Mets rather than what was seen with Game 4 against the San Diego Padres. That suggested needing one of the relief pitchers to shoulder some form of bulk innings.
The relay race began with Michael Kopech making his first start since Sept. 20, 2023.
“I think we just all felt that it’s a part of a lineup that we like Michael, he’s started games before, and just feel that it’s the best chance to put up a zero in the first inning and then move forward,” Roberts said before the game.
Kopech gave up one run and was among multiple Dodgers relievers who weren’t particularly sharp.
But NLCS MVP Tommy Edman and the rest of the Dodgers lineup helped ease the pressure on them by staking the pitching staff a 6-1 lead by the third inning.
Shohei Ohtani drove a run in during the sixth innings, and the Dodgers broke the game open in the bottom of the eighth.
Blake Treinen was key to finish Dodgers bullpen game
As Roberts was cycling through his relief pitchers, it started to become apparent Evan Phillips, Daniel Hudson and Treinen would be relied upon for the backend of the game.
But rather than extend Phillips and Hudson, the right-handers pitched one inning each. That resulted in Treinen entering in the eighth inning for a six-out save.
“That was my only plan right there,” Roberts revealed after the Dodgers’ win.
“From the first inning, the first pitch, I had a lot of contingency plans. But at that point we were going to ride or die with Blake.”
Prior to Sunday, Treinen had not completed two innings in a single appearance since Game 5 of the 2021 NLCS.
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