The Los Angeles Dodgers combined to hold the Milwaukee Brewers to just one run on one hit in the series opener, led by six strong innings from Kenta Maeda. The lone run — and hit — came on his watch, as a harmless fly ball had enough carry to right field for a solo home run.
Even with the homer allowed, Maeda retired 11 of the first 12 batters faced. He ran into some trouble in the fifth after issuing back-to-back walks but escaped the jam. “Maeken was very good tonight,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, referring to Maeda by the nickname on his jersey for Players Weekend.
“The fastball was really aggressive. There are times when he starts to be a little too fine, but when he’s on the attack, he’s pretty special.
“When he goes after guys, his stuff and command is so good, when he trusts that, he can consistently get Major League hitters out.”
The start was Maeda’s sixth in his last eight with one earned run or less allowed. He finished with seven strikeouts on the night, marking the fifth consecutive start with at least six punchouts.
Since laboring through four innings against the Brewers in early June, which left Roberts flummoxed and frustrated with his starter, Maeda is 8-2 with one save and a 2.63 ERA in 13 games (11 starts).
He’s recorded 65 strikeouts over as many innings pitched during that span. Overall this season, Maeda is 12-5 with a 3.76 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. He’s continued to warrant a spot in a Dodgers rotation that at times has become crowded, and could prove a valuable out of the bullpen come the playoffs.
