After struggling through much of his first season as Los Angeles Dodgers closer, Craig Kimbrel began to find better success that coincided with “Let It Go” performed by Idina Menzel for Disney’s “Frozen” serving as his new entrance song.
Entering the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the right-hander record one save and had six strikeouts against two walks without allowing a hit in 8.1 innings pitched across eight appearances.
However, Kimbrel’s string of success came to an end Wednesday night. He entered in the bottom of the 10th inning with a 3-2 lead and promptly walked the leadoff batter. Kimbrel later allowed a three-run, walk-off home run to Sergio Alcántara.
While there was disappointment from Kimbrel in taking the loss that prevented the Dodgers from completing a series sweep at Chase Field, he also gave Alcántara credit for turning on an elevated fastball, via SportsNet LA:
“He definitely put a good swing on it. We were trying to throw a fastball up, a 2-1 count there you kind of want to get it up and in. I did, and the ball went out of the ballpark.”
Kimbrel further elaborated that he would not get bogged down by his fifth blown save of the season and remain focused on executing pitches:
“Just keep getting my foot down, keep making my pitches. Sometimes they swing and miss at pitches right down the middle, and sometimes they hit them out. Today, I felt like I made my pitch, and they hit it out. Tomorrow, got an off day, and the next time I get the ball I’m just going to continue to throw my pitches.”
Despite Kimbrel’s inconsistency, the home run was only the third Kimbrel he’s allowed this season. He largely had been hurt by stretches of struggling with command that led to walks and soft contact finding holes.
On Wednesday, Kimbrel again had trouble commanding his breaking ball, and fastball location wasn’t his sharpest effort. Both of those have been focal points for the 34-year-old.
Craig Kimbrel keeping “Let It Go”
With teammates urging that he do so and positive results coming with the change, Kimbrel has decided to keep “Let It Go” as his warmup song.
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