Andrew Heaney had mixed results on the mound as the Los Angeles Dodgers fell 5-3 to the Milwaukee Brewers and settled for a series split at American Family Field.
The left-hander collected 10 strikeouts but saw his season home run total quadruple. Andrew McCutchen was largely responsible for that as he hit home runs in the first and third innings to give the Brewers a 3-0 lead.
Hunter Renfroe slugged a two-run homer in the fifth inning that proved to be the difference and chased Heaney out of the game. His final line was 4.2 innings pitched with five hits and five runs allowed (three earned).
With the exception of a few mistake pitches, Heaney was generally pleased with his start against the Brewers, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“I thought I had good stuff, just made a couple not-great two-strike pitches. And tried to sneak a 2-0 slider by McCutchen to steal a strike, and just kind of left it out over the plate. Just frustrating. We all know how good Burnes is and runs are at a premium in a game like today. Just put us behind the 8-ball.”
Thursday marked the second time this season Heaney recorded at least 10 strikeouts in a start, which was one of the positives he took from the outing:
“I think it’s kind of you can take the good with the bad. I think I had good stuff. I felt like after the first inning I kind of settled in, made some better pitches and then also made a couple mistake pitches to guys that’ll hit them. Just a situation where I need to be a little bit crisper with a couple of those.”
Since being activated off the injured list on July 27, Heaney has posted a 2.66 ERA, 3.66 FIP and 12.8 strikeouts per nine in 20.1 innings pitched (five starts).
In eight overall appearances this season, the 31-year-old has gone 1-1 with a 1.77 ERA, 3.01 FIP and 1.04 WHIP across 35.2 innings pitched.
Heaney looking to be more efficient
With the Dodgers keeping Heaney on a pitch count for the rest of the 2022 season, Heaney recently noted he is looking to be more efficient. “I think we’re getting there, but I said it last time, those pitches and extra innings are earned,” Heaney said when asked if he’s capable of increasing his workload.
“Those things need to be better. That’s how you earn more pitches and more innings.”
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