While the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation is in better standing than at this same stage in the 2016 season, getting length out of starters continues to be an Achilles’ heel. Entering Sunday, only Clayton Kershaw and Brandon McCarthy have pitched into (and completed) six innings in a start.
Kershaw has done so in each of his three outings, and McCarthy in both of his. On Saturday, Kenta Maeda failed to so much as pitch into the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks. “Kenta came out throwing the ball really well,” Dodgers manager began to explain.
“But as the game progressed, I saw the fastball velocity still good, and there was some good secondary, but there were some [missed locations] that I didn’t like seeing and didn’t feel good about.”
Maeda was pinch-hit for with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning with one out and the Dodgers trailing. Scott Van Slyke reached on an error and later scored the tying run.
That the Diamondbacks had the pitcher’s spot followed by the top of their lineup due up in the fifth further incentivized Roberts to call on Alex Wood out of the bullpen.
“Dominant left-handed hitters, and when you have Alex Wood on four days’ rest, I felt it was time,” Roberts said. “I felt he could get go one time through the order and get to the backend guys for us.”
In yet another strong relief appearance, Wood turned in 3.1 hitless innings. He worked around multiple errors to keep the Diamondbacks off the board.
Maeda was charged with four runs; three of which came on a Mike Ahmed three-run homer in the second inning. He only issued one walk and had five strikeouts. But it was the 16th time in 35 starts for the Dodgers where Maeda went five innings or less.
“Every time we have a game, the hope and expectation is for those guys to go deep into a game,” Roberts said. “As I watch and see how the game is playing out, I’ve got to make certain decisions. My eyes told me it was time for Woody to relieve Kenta.”
Maeda went five innings in his previous two starts this season. On the year he’s 1-1 with a 7.07 ERA.
